Jason E. Geistweidt

(|21(|<3']['5 (leet speak, crickets) is a proposed large-scale, generative light and sound installation comprised of some 150-200 electro-mechanical insects, purpose-built microcontrollers capable of sensing their environment (temperature, light, sound, humidity) and responding via light, color, and/or sound. As a point of entry, the project aims to investigate insect communication, targeting the mating, territorial, and chorusing rituals of crickets, cicadas, and fireflies for further study and creative exploration. Inspired by Valentino Braitenberg’s thought experiments, modeling simple animal behaviors through procedural reactions to external environmental stimuli, my goal is to create a menagerie of individual cyber-insects which, in tandem, give rise to emergent behaviors expressed both visually and sonically.

Jason Geistweidt is a trans-disciplinary artist working across the fields of sound art, digital fabrication, installation, physical computing, creative coding, real-time performance, and anything else he finds interesting. In practice, Jason endeavors to build his own tools, incorporating various open source hardware and software solutions. As a researcher he is interested in the ways artists incorporate technologies into their practice and how these technologies mediate the creative act. Jason currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Media Study at the University of Buffalo where he delivers courses in experimental audio, wearable computing, creative coding, and installation. He also directs the activities of the Media Lab, a collaborative space bringing media and architecture students together in coordination with the Center for Architecture and Situated Technologies.