Hash It Out
Hash it Out is a large-scale, multi-person, interactive sonification of the blockchain providing an alternative method for individuals to interact with and interpret the emergent technology that is blockchain. As this technology becomes more known, it’s surprising how few people understand the inherent power and potential side-effects it holds.
COURSE
Interactive Art
PROGRAM
Emergent Digital Practices
YEAR
2019
LOCATION
Denver
SOFTWARE
Max MSP, TSPS
METHODS
Data Transcoding, Motion Tracking, Generative Sound Design, Generative Audio Reactive Visuals
By providing additional avenues of interaction the hope is to encourage people to become more familiar with this technology and inspire them to go out and learn more. The sonification is driven by daily block hash addresses and varies day-to-day. Viewers, based on their positioning in the space, are able to trigger a number of sounds (64 total) that mesh together to create a user-generated composition. Additionally, there is an accompanying audio-reactive visualization that presents the viewers with visual feedback of their combined influence on the piece. Hash It Out serves as a playful space for individuals to interact with a piece of the blockchain in hopes to inspire interest and conversations surrounding both the power and hazards associated with this technology. For the blockchain to evolve and be used effectively a larger group of people need to understand it and push for its use in an environmentally safe fashion.
In order to accomplish this project in a reliable way custom objects were developed in Max MSP in order to interface with the Bitcoin Blockchain and transcode the hexadecimal hash information into MIDI.
Multi-person interactivity was achieved by using the Open Source blob-tracking software TSPS, a wide-angle camera with a custom 3D printed mount, and OSC communication to Max MSP.
