Background Visuals: Visual Investgiation

Neuron Connections

• A neuron and nerve cell, is an electrically excitable cell that receives, processes, and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals
• Signal connections between neurons called synapses
• Neurons can connect to each other to form neural networks
• Neurons are the primary components of the central nervous system
• Sensory neurons respond to one particular type of stimulus such as touch, sound, or light and all other stimuli affecting the cells of the sensory organs, and converts it into an electrical signal which is then sent to the spinal cord or brain
• Motor neurons receive signals from the brain and spinal cord to cause everything from muscle contractions and affect glandular outputs
• All neurons are electrically excitable

Neurons and music:

References: http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/student-blogger/influence-music-neurons

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3202228/

Listening to music helps to create and strengthen more neural connections because nerves that deal with the auditory system of the brain are being activated in order to hear the music. Music is a stimulus that needs to be processed by the brain because we have receptors for sensing and reacting to music. Music is a stimulus that needs to be processed by the brain because we have receptors for sensing and reacting to music. The act of processing this stimulus influences the neural connections in the brain and therefore affects other neural connections which in turn affect the outputs of the body. The Mozart effect is a phenomenon that states when an individual listens to short bursts of music, their intellectual and motor abilities increase and become more efficient. The brain has the ability to sense the happiness and sadness of music. When the tone and tempo of music is altered, different portions of the brain are stimulated which have neural connections that detect the happiness or sadness of the song. 

-This could be an interesting thing to try and visualise, so that the videos hold context rather than just pure aesthetics. This will subsequently make the production a lot more engaging.

Their link to electricity and brain stimulation (as a result of our senses), makes the visual representations of neuron connections a great reference in gathering visual representations to imitate within the motion graphics. Their black backgrounds adhere to the direction of the project, and the florescent qualities and bright green, reds and blues are aesthetically pleasing against the dark background. 

These images of neuron connections and mapping reminded me of flying over cities in the night time. Birds-eye views of cityscapes are another strong visual reference point in adherence to the brief of urban underground music, as the idea of the stark opposite depiction of taking a scene buried deep within the idea of an entire city from above. This juxtaposition thus has the ability to emit strong emotions when paired with the music.





Looking at existing visual performances and how the technological age is already being used in live performance is important for gaging the general audience and current practicality and aesthetics of what's already in place. It seems to be that DJs are utilising this immersive experience to a higher degree due to its ability to compliment electronic music.

Existing DJ aesthetics:
Article:
https://creativesocialblog.com/uncategorized/10-mind-blowing-audio-visual-shows

Flying Lotus: You're Dead – Live Tour
USE OF CUBE

Here the artist uses a literal 3D cube structure to distort a flat projection. The complicated background visual becomes contained within this geometric structure. Instead having a literal shape, could the shape the subject of the video and the pattern flows within and around it. I also like the idea of a glow - the colours Lotus uses are blue and green to more reds. This transition is in line with the colour psychology investigations, however the compositions are too intense for the melodic and minimal concept.

Eric Prydz: EPIC 3.0

USE OF HOLOGRAM

Geometry is again used here in new and eciting ways. The ability to engage with the digital sphere is endless and as such it is spirals / circles/ sacred geometric shapes that would befit the brief best. 

Clark: Phosphor

USE OF OSCILLOSCOPE 

Oscilloscope - 'type of electronic test instrument that allows observation of constantly varying signal voltages, usually as a two-dimensional plot of one or more signals as a function of time. Other signals (such as sound or vibration) can be converted to voltages and displayed.' - Wikipedia 

 

The green aesthetic is constant throughout his working, creating an almost brand for his visual identity. This could be something to consider moving forward. Additionally the way the shape is distorted and then contained - a perfect circle that stretches and evolves then returns to its original form. This transition of distortion flows naturally as it is literal response to sound and waves. The black background makes the green illuminate naturally, and the consistency of green on black keeps a clear visual identity even though the depictions vary considerably depending on song. As electronic music is made digitally, the digital orientated and thematic imagery seems appropriate