The document discusses several interactive audiovisual projects and whether they should be considered toys, artworks, or tools. It examines projects like Tenori-on, Reactable, abcde..., NodeBeat, and AV Clash. It notes characteristics of each project like their intended users and level of interactivity. The document concludes that it may not be necessary to strictly define these projects within one category, as they could fall into multiple categories as both toys and tools that enable creativity and self-expression.

1. Interactive Audiovisual Projects:
Toys, Art Works or Tools?
Nuno N. Correia
Newcastle, 05/2011

2. Example 1: Tenori-on (2007)
• http://www.global.yamaha.com/tenori-on/
• From http://www.global.yamaha.com/tenori-on/faq/001/#a02 :
• “TENORI-ON is a 21st-century interface for music, developed in a
collaboration between media artist Toshio Iwai and Yamaha
Corporation.”
• “The instrument uses a panel of 16 x 16 LED buttons as an
interface, so that even those with no knowledge of music can
play it using sight and intuition.”
• Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SGwDhKTrwU

3. Example 2: Reactable (2005?)
• http://www.reactable.com/
• By Sergi Jordà, Günter Geiger, Martin Kaltenbrunner, Marcos
Alonso / Music Technology Group, UPF
• 2008 AE Digital Musics and Sound Art Golden Nica
• From http://new.aec.at/prix/en/gewinner/2008/ :
• “The reactable is an intelligent musical instrument specially
conceived for multi-user performances.”

4. Example 2: Reactable (2006?)
• “the reactable can be played by anyone—from little kids to
professional musicians”
• “But this is not just some music-making toy; the reactable is a
genuine instrument and, accordingly, it takes some practice to
get the most out of it.”

5. Example 3: abcde... (2010)
• iOS app by Jörg Piringer
• From http://apps.piringer.net/abcdefg.php :
• “abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz is a sound toy, a performance
tool and an art work in its own right.”
• Ars Electronica 2010 Digital Musics and Sound Art Honorary
Mention

6. Example 4: NodeBeat (2011)
• From http://nodebeat.com/ :
• “Created by Seth Sandler and Justin Windle, NodeBeat is an
experimental node-based audio sequencer and generative music
application for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad”
• “By combining music and playful exploration, NodeBeat allows
anyone to create an exciting variety of rhythmic sequences and
ambient melodies in a fun and intuitive fashion”

7. Example 5: AV Clash (2010)
• http://www.avclash.com
• From http://www.videojackstudios.com/projects/avclash/ :
• “AV Clash is a Web-based project by Video Jack (André Carrilho
and Nuno Correia, with Gokce Taskan), which allows for the
creation of audiovisual compositions, consisting of
combinations of sound and audio-reactive animation loops.”
• From http://theawesomer.com/avclash/ :
• “This Flash-based interactive artwork lets you create
mesmerizing audiovisual compositions which belong on a big
screen at a rave.”

8. Toy, art work or tool: where to draw the line?
Tentative answers:
• Number of possible variations over the initial set of materials;
• Shape of the learning curve;
• Feeling of self-expression / creativity for users;
• Possibilities for transformation; re-distribution / re-deployment
of final result;
• Appropriate (or lack of?) copyright framing;
• No need to draw the line, it can be all of the above.
• More on digital tools: http://www.nunocorreia.com/publications/
200809-taik-working-papers-35-editor