Interfacing Graphic and Musical Elements in Counterlines

This paper reports on initial stages of research leading to the development of an intermedia performance Counterlines a duet for Disklavier and Wacom Cintiq, in which both performers generate audiovisual gestures that relate to each other contrapuntally. The pianist generates graphic elements while playing music and the graphic performer generates piano notes by drawing lines. The paper focuses on interfacing sounds and images performed by the pianist. It provides rationale for the choice of materials of great simplicity and describes our approach to mapping.