We shot some video of Jim Thirwell at the Guggenheim using some of this crazyy-assed gear, and while we wait for our camera to come back from Barcelona to post, we thought we'd let you know about the first-ever winter session being offfered by the League of Electronic Musicians and Urban Robots. Classes aren't as cheap as we'd like 'em to be, but note the internship opportunities at the bottom of this posting. Use your imagination and DIY y'all, DIY...

For Immediate Release:

LEMUR (League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots) Announce First ReSiDeNt Performance and Winter  Art & Technology Classes

In January 2008, LEMUR inaugurated ReSiDeNt, a unique new creator-in-residence program, hosted at LEMUR's Brooklyn space in Park Slope. Each month, LEMUR will award three artists a month-long residency at LEMUR, enabling them to create a work utilizing LEMUR's resources, including robotic musical instruments, MIDI audio/video controllers, video projection and tracking system and more. Each group of residencies will culminate in a public show at LEMUR at the end of the month.

LEMUR's first ReSiDeNt show happens on Friday, January 25th from 8-10 PM at the LEMURplex (461 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn). They will be presenting the works of Joshua Goldberg, Drew Krause and Taylor Kuffner, created during their January residencies at LEMUR.

Joshua Goldberg is an artist specializing in live video, a performer, a programmer and an educator. During his residency, he has been working on video tracking and projected video interfaces to control robotic sound.

A composition graduate of Juilliard (MM) and the University of Illinois (DMA),Drew Krause has written over 80 works for instrumental and electronic media. He has been composing a full-length musical work for LEMUR's instruments.

Taylor Kuffner is a composer, musician and multi-media artist who has worked with live and electronic instruments, composed for dance, theater and media productions and extensively studied Indonesian gamelan music. He has been applying his compositional experience with the gamelan to composing for LEMUR's robots.

Also, LEMUR’s Winter Art & Technology classes begin January 26. Those who wish to take the classes can sign up at www.lemurbots.org. The courses being offered are:

Building MIDI Music & Video Controllers: Creating a Sensor Instrument with MidiTron, Level 1 & 2

Microcontroller Progamming for Artists: Introduction to the Arduino System, Level 1 & 2

Video Tracking in Jitter: Expert Video Tracking for Sound and Video Control

Fun With Fiberglass: Basic Composite Fabrication

Ableton Live for Performers: Integrating Live Computer Electronics Into Contemporary Performance

Pyrotronics: Pyrotechnics & Control for Artists

Art of Light: Controlling LEDs, EL Wire and Other Lighting Elements with Microprocessors

Sensors for Dancers: Wireless Sound and Video Control Through Movement

Electromechanical Systems and Robotics for Artists

LEMUR is a Brooklyn-based group of artists and technologists, founded by musician and engineer Eric Singer in 2000, developing robotic musical instruments.  The collective’s philosophy is to build new sculptural musical instruments which incorporate robotic technology, not robots that play existing instruments. Their musical robots have performed all over the world and have collaborated with Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo , They Might Be Giants, and JG Thirwell.

Open Call for Interns

LEMUR is always seeking interns to help with our work and learn our craft. We are looking for dedicated individuals who can commit at least six hours per week. You will get to work on many aspects of very interesting projects and learn skills in electronics, software, fabrication, installation design and more. If you have skills in the following areas, you will be able to put them to use:

    * Electronics design, layout, soldering

    * Max/MSP/Jitter, PD and other MIDI/Audio/Video environments

    * PIC Microprocessors

    * Design, sculpture

    * Woodwork, metalwork

    * Music, composing

If not, don't worry - we will teach you the skills you need to get involved.

Projects include: robot design and fabrication; MIDI controller creation; programming; audio and video for installations; on-site installation and performance participation; and more.

If you are interested in getting involved contact us at info@lemurbots.org

  

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