DIRTI - Dirty Tangible Interfaces

Dirty Tangible Interfaces (DIRTI) are a new concept in interface design that forgoes the dogma of repeatability in favor of a richer and more complex experience, constantly evolving, never reversible, and infinitely modifiable. We built a prototype based on granular or liquid interaction material placed in a glass dish, that is analyzed by video tracking for its 3D relief. This relief, and the dynamic changes applied to it by the user, are interpreted as activation profiles to drive corpus-based concatenative sound synthesis, allowing one or more players to mold sonic landscapes and to plow through them in an inherently collaborative, expressive, and dynamic experience.