Motion Tracking Music with Mobile-Media Technology in Two Case Studies

Although mobile music-works are finding their way into civic space, they tend to isolate the public as a possible audience due to a focused use on headphones. The resulting isolation of the performer from the audience deprives both sides of one of the most important functions of public performance: social interaction. This paper addresses the concept of "found audience" in civic space and how mobile technology has made it possible to address it culturally. Two wearable systems for mobile music-making using motion tracking - one simple and one complex - are presented within the context of the paper as case studies