Fluid Simulation as Full Body Audio-Visual Instrument

This paper describes an audio-visual performance system based on real-time fluid simulation. The aim is to provide a rich environment for works which blur the boundaries between dance and instrumental performance – and sound and visuals – while maintaining transparency for audiences and new performers. The system uses infra-red motion tracking to allow performers to manipulate a real-time fluid simulation, which in turn provides control data for computergenerated audio and visuals. It also provides a control and configuration system which allows the behaviour of the interactive system to be changed over time, enabling the structure within which interactions take place to be ‘composed’.