Legoloop is a sample-based performance combining Lego bricks and turntables. The project is by Swiss artist Marc Widmer who developed the work as a visual musical interface, and as a tool to examine two important aspects of electronic music in the club context: the Loop and the Sample. The modular set-up of the equipment and its specific adaptations as well as the use of Lego blocks reflect the modular functions of loops and samples in electronic music, as well as their interplay and potential for complexity.
 
The piece is based on the turntable, or more precisely, the Technics MK 1210, a potent symbol of club culture. Lego blocks replace knobs and sliders, and the mouse and keyboard of a laptop; the turntable cartridge is replaced by a small camera specially designed for the purpose. The video image is translated into acoustic signals in real time with software designed by Widmer, creating interesting opportunities for audio experimentation. The combination of several hacked turntable modules increases the complexity and unpredictability of the performances.
 
Marc Widmer is a Media Arts graduate who is also a member of Atelier Anorg, a Zurich based new media art network that includes Patric Kaufmann, Jonas Öhrström and Michael Gross. As well as collaborative projects with Anorg, Widmer works mainly with experimental video and audio processing using free software. He was involved in the Mumbai Streaming Attack, and he programmed software for the audio performance Tramjam, which was shown at freebitflows 04 in Vienna and at DEAF 04 in Rotterdam. He performs regularly at clubs manipulating live-input from webcams controlled by the audience.
 
> http://legoloop.anorg.net
> Raum für Medienkultur im Dock 18
 
Appearances:
> CTM.08 > LEGOLOOP