We recently brought you news of a digital tattoo interface that could lead to a sort of bionic musical instruments.

This may seem far out, but, as the video above demonstrates, the idea of interactive music tattoos is an active area for experimental electronic musicians.

This video documents the recording process of the first movement in Honey Beast's sonata - Ink-less Tattoo:

For this I asked humanola to attain a flesh-colored tattoo (a drawing of his own symbolizing persistence through physical pain). I recorded the administration of the tattoo from the underside of his arm. The captured sound (nearly 2 hrs) was transformed into a digital wave image. That image was placed upon my left arm, and tattooed with needle - without ink... this is to shift the focus from image to the sound of machine-body interaction. My tattoo was also recorded and later played through my arm in a performance. The audience was invited to listen to the piece by pressing their ear to my arm.

What do you think of the idea of tattoos as a form of music?

via Califaudio

Link:

• Digital tattoo interface
• Honey Beast on Vimeo

James Lewin
Twitter @podcasting_news

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