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== Even more recent version! (Updated 12/11/2024) ==
__NOTOC__
''make: synthesizers after the apocalypse''


In this project, i’ll research the various ways in which abandoned media can be re-purposed into sound devices. I see “abandoned media” as discarded devices that no longer serve their original intended purpose, but could still function as something else. For instance, a printer being repurposed into a percussive instrument, as happened in paper Jam.<ref>video naar de paper jam</ref> I’ll explore the ideas of speculative sound circuits<ref>[https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14236/ewic/EVAC18.33 Speculative Sound Circuits]</ref> , where, trough ''“playful and absurdist methodology” “unlikely technological devices are combined to create sound and performance”'', and Salvage Computing<ref>[https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/salvage_computing.html XXIIVV — salvage computing] &amp; [https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/ Salvage Computing]</ref> trough a series of DIY/DIWO workshops/hangouts. The workshops are hosted at Klankschool, together with Riviera Taylor.
[[File:Applebiteme.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Apple certified Modifier]]


''Make: synthesizers after the apocalypse''
In this project, I will research the various ways in which abandoned media can be repurposed into sound devices. I consider "abandoned media" to be discarded devices that no longer serve their original intended purpose yet could still function as something else. For instance, a printer that has an “Internal Communication Problem” being repurposed into a percussive instrument, as happened in Printer Jam <ref>Printer Jam: Get a grip on everyday life with OSC (Gulaschprogrammiernacht 2024). See https://media.ccc.de/v/gpn22-457-printer-jam-get-a-grip-on-everyday-life-with-osc.</ref>. I’ll explore the ideas of speculative sound circuits, where playful and absurdist methodologies are applied to create sound using various unlikely technological devices (Richards, 2018) <ref>John Richards. Speculative Sound Circuits. 2018. DOI: 10.14236/ewic/EVAC18.33</ref> , and Salvage Computing<ref>‘Salvage computing’ (no date) ''Salvage computing''. https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/ (Accessed: November 22, 2024).</ref>. This will happen in a series of DIY/DIWO workshops/hangouts. The workshops will be hosted at Klankschool<ref>Klankschool is a community operating a space (and a server) in the south of Rotterdam. Its members share a common interest in performances, sound art, improvisation, noise, … Each member is a teacher, student, musician, janitor and more. The motivation to have a community-run space is to share sounds, work on projects, organise events, hang out, exhibit works, learn, teach and listen. See https://klank.school/</ref>, together with Riviera Taylor.
<span id="salvaging-sound-devices"></span>
=== Salvaging sound devices ===
=== Salvaging sound devices ===


<blockquote>Figuring out how to make the best possible use out of the millions of devices which already exist. [https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/salvage_computing.html XXIIVV — salvage computing]
<blockquote>The real long-term future of computing consists of figuring out how to make the best possible use we can out of the literal millions of devices which already exist Solderpunk, 2020, Cited in de Valk, 2022)<ref>‘Salvage computing’ (no date) ''Salvage computing''. https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/ (Accessed: November 22, 2024).</ref>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Buying new (electronic) parts &amp; components is usually cheaper then repairing or salvaging. Even more conveniently, in the online community of DIY synth making it is common practice to share an Mouser Project Cart<ref>over wat is mouser</ref> alongside the schematics, allowing you to buy all the needed parts within just a few clicks. This, to me, introduces the idea that you <math display="inline">need</math> to buy these super specific components in order to succeed, instead of making the inconveniences that come with salvaging part of the creative process. I’ve found that DIY/DIWO moments where these notions are less prominent, way more empowering and educational.
Buying new (electronic) parts and components is usually cheaper than repairing or salvaging. Even more conveniently, in the online community of DIY synthesizers, it is common practice to share an Mouser Project Cart<ref>A digital shopping cart provided by Mouser Electronics, a large distributor of electronic components. See https://eu.mouser.com/Tools/ProjectCartSharing</ref> alongside the schematics, when publishing your project. This allows you to buy all the needed parts within just a few clicks. To me, this introduces the idea that you <span style="font-style: italic; color: tomato; text-shadow: 0px 0px 10px tomato; font-weight: bold;">need</span> to buy these super specific components in order to succeed, instead of making the inconveniences that come with salvaging part of the creative process. I’ve found that the DIY/DIWO moments where these notions are less prominent, way more empowering and educational.


Here are some samples I’ve collected during workshops:
{{audio|mp3=https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mw-mediadesign/images/d/d2/Vitrinekast_proposal_workshop_1.mp3|style=width:100%}}
{{audio|mp3=https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mw-mediadesign/images/5/51/Vitrinekast_proposal_workshop_2.mp3|style=width:100%}}
{{audio|mp3=https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mw-mediadesign/images/6/66/Vitrinekast_proposal_workshop_3.mp3|style=width:100%}}
<span id="diwo-hangouts"></span>
=== DIWO Hangouts ===
=== DIWO Hangouts ===


During the hangouts, we will explore various methods around salvaging components &amp; dismantling devices, making our own instruments using these materials, livecoding hardware trough MQTT/OSC servers &amp; applications, and everything in between. Ideally, they would lead up to a BYOP (Bring Your Own Printer) Orchestra.
During the hangouts, we will explore various methods around salvaging components and dismantling devices, making our own instruments using these materials, live coding hardware through MQTT/OSC<ref>MQTT and OSC are messaging protocols. MQTT is used for small IoT devices, OSC usually for sound software/hardware. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MQTT and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Sound_Control</ref> servers &amp; applications, and everything in between. Ultimately, they could lead up to a BYOP (Bring Your Own Printer) Orchestra. The hangouts will be held at the Klankschool and involve the Klankschool community. The hangouts are hosted in collaboration with Riviera Taylor, who’s writing a thesis about [[System Administration and Server Maintenance]], and creating her project around Klankschool too.


The hangouts will be held at the Klankschool<ref>wat is klankschool</ref>, and involve the klankschool community. Me and Riviera will divide the responsibility of hosting, where Riviera will focus more on the server side of things, and my focus will be around hardware. The hangouts will be documented thoroughly, so it can be part of [[my thesis]] and shared back to the community of Klankschool.
<span id="collaboration-with-riviera-taylor"></span>
=== Collaboration with Riviera Taylor ===


Part of this project is a collaboration with [[User:Riviera|Riviera]]. Me and Riviera will divide the responsibility of hosting, where (in a nutshell) Riviera will focus more on the server side of things and my focus will be around hardware. Together, we will document the hangouts thoroughly in Markdown. We will set up a documentation system, that (due to markdowns fantastic nesting abilities) can have the various outlets we would like. For instance, in the format of a newsletter to be sent out to the community of Klankschool, their archive, parts of my thesis, and Riviera’s thesis.
Our collaboration will be one with a lowercase c, where we will work together and alongside one another, but are not dependent on each other.
<span id="who"></span>
== Who ==
== Who ==


Line 21: Line 38:
* Trashure expert Joak
* Trashure expert Joak
* Operator Radio to talk about post apocalyptic electronic music, but also to create the workshop in a different environment
* Operator Radio to talk about post apocalyptic electronic music, but also to create the workshop in a different environment
* Roodkapje to host events
* Roodkapje to host events such as the BYOP orchestra
* XPUB community
* XPUB community
* Creative Coding Utrecht - space to host events
* Creative Coding Utrecht - space to host events


<span id="why"></span>
== Why ==
== Why ==


''“Salvage computing believes that the end of a computer product’s lifecycle should be seen as a moment of celebration”''. When reading about Salvage Computing I got very excited, as it could give me a different vocabulary when working with salvaged electronic components as a material. The last year I’ve been a part of various workshops around DIY/Electronics/Circuit bending etc. and I’ve been increasingly surprised by the way some people spoke about the materials being used. Especially around material that is “broken” (what is broken anyway, who decides when something is broken), it was sometimes seen as valueless and waste, to be discarded and not thought about again.
When reading about Salvage Computing I got very excited, as it could give me a different vocabulary when working with salvaged electronic components as a material. The last year I’ve been a part of various workshops around DIY/Electronics/Circuit Bending, etc., and I’ve been increasingly surprised by the way some people spoke about the materials being used. Especially around material that is “broken” (what is broken anyway, who decides when something is broken), it was sometimes seen as valueless and waste, to be discarded and not thought about again.


Instead of turning this project into a consumer blaming, finger-pointing, activist project, I want to take the opportunity to explore if it is actually possible to go in full-salvage mode. What workflows do I need to come up with to salvage these components? Which are the most salvageable, how to recognise them? What can they be used for? And, how to deal with the carcass of the printer? Is the approach a viable way of working, or only for those privileged enough where they can actually spend this much time.
Instead of turning this project into a consumer-blaming, finger-pointing project, I want to take the opportunity to explore if it is actually possible to go in full-salvage mode. What workflows do I need to come up with to salvage these components? Which are the most salvageable? How to recognize them? What can they be used for? And how to deal with the carcass of the printer? Is the approach a viable way of working, or only for those privileged enough where they can actually spend this much time?


<span id="when"></span>
<span id="when"></span>
== When ==
== When ==


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<img src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/thegoodplace/images/a/a7/Jeremy_Bearimy.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20181026224942" style="width: 100%">
<div class="thumbcaption">
 
Keeping track of time with [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFm9ClqlGuo Jeremy Bearimy]
 
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<img width="500" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/thegoodplace/images/a/a7/Jeremy_Bearimy.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20181026224942" />
</div>
</div>
'''November'''
''!No read november!''
* Start salvaging an inventory &amp; an inventory of schematics
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* Create a documentation template for salvaging projects
'''December'''
* Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Continue salvaging &amp; documenting
* Prepare DIWO hangouts
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
'''Januari'''
* Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Continue salvaging
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 1st DIWO hangout at klankschool
'''Februari'''
* Continue salvaging
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 2nd DIWO hangouts at klankschool
'''March'''
* Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Continue salvaging
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 3rd DIWO hangouts at klankschool ''14th March 2025 Deadline First Draft Thesis''
'''April'''
* Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Continue salvaging
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 4th DIWO hangouts at klankschool ''18th April 2025 Deadline Thesis''
'''May'''
* Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Continue salvaging
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 5th DIWO hangouts at klankschool
'''June'''
* Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Continue salvaging
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 6th DIWO hangouts at klankschool


<span id="what-came-before"></span>
</div>
== What came before ==
<span id="november"></span>
==== November ====


I enjoy making systems and more specifically sound systems.
''!No read november!''


<span id="which-context"></span>
* Start salvaging an inventory &amp; investigate recipes
== Which context ==
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
The project tries to be a bridge between the ideas of salvage computing, and balablababkbakjbjkhbab
* Investigate static site generators for Markdown2HTML2print documentation
* write this proposal


<span id="references"></span>
<span id="december"></span>
== References ==
==== December ====


* Garnet Hertz, Critical Making[http://conceptlab.com/ Garnet Hertz - conceptlab.com]
* Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Richards, J. (2013) Beyond DIY in Electronic Music. Organised Sound
* Continue salvaging &amp; documenting
* Speculative sound circuits Richards J.
* Prepare DIWO hangouts
* The rise of LOFI culture, spencer A 2008
* Define DIWO topics
* Hardware hacking and recycling strategies in an age of technological obsolesence
* Build a documentation system
* [Salvage Computing](https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* the art of electronics
* Shannon Mattern, “Maintenance and Care,” 
* Weggooien? Mooi niet! Martine Postma


==== Footnotes ====
<span id="januari"></span>
==== Januari ====


<references />
* Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Reflect on salvaged inventory and build the “Components” chapter
* Document 2 recipes for the thesis
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 1st DIWO hangout at klankschool


<span id="februari"></span>
==== Februari ====


== More recent version (updated 07/11/2024) ==
* Continue salvaging
In this project, i’ll research the various ways in which abandoned media can be re-purposed into sound devices. I see "abandoned media" as discarded devices that no longer serve their original intended purpose, but could still function as something else. For instance, a printer being repurposed into a percussive instrument, as happened in paper Jam.<ref>video naar de paper jam</ref>
* Document 2 recipes for the thesis
* Reflect on recipes and build the “recipes chapter”
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 2nd DIWO hangouts at klankschool


As a maker and collector of "things" I’ve been dealing with the question my own environmental footprint. I feel like I cannot on the one hand critique Hogeschool Rotterdam for offering 1TB of (Microsoft) cloud storage to every student<ref>[https://www.hogeschoolrotterdam.nl/go/Edu010/a%20pplicaties-en-faciliteiten/microsoft-teams/ Microsoft Teams - Hogeschool Rotterdam]</ref> , yet also buy Arduino clones from AliExpress<ref>[https://nl.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-arduino-uno.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.search.0 arduino uno – Koop arduino uno met gratis verzending op AliExpress version]</ref>.
<span id="march"></span>
==== March ====


During the research, I’ll explore the ideas of speculative sound circuits<ref>[https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14236/ewic/EVAC18.33 Speculative Sound Circuits]</ref> , where, trough ''"playful and absurdist methodology" "unlikely technological devices are combined to create sound and performance"'', and Salvage Computing<ref>[https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/salvage_computing.html XXIIVV — salvage computing]</ref>. Trough a series of sound devices, performances and maybe even DIY/DIWO workshops. As the project is set up in a modular way, each sound device, performance and/or DIY/DIWO workshop combines into a larger "orchestra of things".
* Continue salvaging
* Document 2 recipes for the thesis
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 3rd DIWO hangouts at klankschool
* Complete first draft thesis ''14th March 2025 Deadline First Draft Thesis''


<blockquote>Figuring out how to make the best possible use out of the millions of devices which already exist.
<span id="april"></span>
<cite>[https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/salvage_computing.html XXIIVV — salvage computing]</cite>
==== April ====
</blockquote>


==== Some traces to follow  ====
* Continue salvaging
* ''Turn Printer Jam into a collaborative sound orchestra (Bring Your Own Obsolete Media-style).'' Where we’d prepare "modules" for visitors to plug their devices in, reducing them to their core feature, a motor spinning, a thing turning on/off. These modules are connected via the klankschool server into a bigger composition.
* Finalise thesis
* Collect simple schematics regarding oscillators e.d. and create them using salvaged components. A next step of this would be to turn the printer into an actual instrument that you play.
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* Translate these discoveries into DIWO’s at the klankschool
* 4th DIWO hangouts at klankschool AND/OR BYOP Orchestra ''18th April 2025 Deadline Thesis''


<code>
<span id="may"></span>
After speaking more with Riviera, we've decided to explore trace 1 more. More specifically, meaning we'd like to host a series of workshops/gatherings at the klankschool, to DIWO experiment with livecoding & salvaging sound devices
==== May ====
</code>


I’m collaborating closely with Riviera Taylor on our continuation of Paper Jam, a performance we did combining printers with live coding. As a thesis project, I/we want to explore these ideas even further. For me, that means salvaging components and hardware from abandoned media to make new sound devices, as we for sure need electronic music after the inevitable apocalypse. For Riviera, I’d suggest to, and I will too, take a look at [https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mediadesign/User:Riviera her proposal on her wiki page]. We also still have to discuss/reflect on the most recent thoughts/ideas together. → TBA!
* Continue salvaging
* Prepare printed version of the thesis
* Prepare graduation show
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
* 5th DIWO hangouts at klankschool


== Who ==  
<span id="june"></span>
* Creative Coding Utrecht - space to host DIWO
==== June ====
* Klankschool and it’s residents
* Operator Radio to talk about post apocalyptic electronic music, but also to create the workshop in a different environment
* Roodkapje to host DIWO
* Riviera Taylor
* Trashure expert Joak
* XPUB community


== Why ==
* Continue salvaging (never stop?)
''"Salvage computing believes that the end of a computer product’s lifecycle should be seen as a moment of celebration"''. When reading about Salvage Computing on the xxiivv wiki I got very excited, as it could give me a different vocabulary when working with salvaged electronic components as a material. The last year I’ve been a part of various workshops around DIY/Electronics/Circuit bending etc. and I’ve been increasingly surprised by the way some people spoke about the materials being used. Especially around material that is "broken" (what is broken anyway, who decides when something is broken), it was sometimes seen as valueless and waste, to be discarded and not thought off again.
* Continuation of [[the repair club at klankschool]]
== Why not ==
* 6th DIWO hangouts at klankschool
But, I don’t want the thesis to be a finger-pointing text, as these comments are, as far as I understand, the result of a capitalist system where consumers are being tricked and forced into buying instead of repairing. (Because it’s much cheaper, if you are able to express time spent into moneys). I also want to stay clear from the e-waste green washing by checking upcycling pinterest boards and joining Rotterdams circular kambucha workshop (might as well call this section why not), and I’m not sure how to do that really.
* Graduation Show
== Why again ==
Because it is so much cheaper to get Arduino clones on Ali express then to salvage components from abandoned printers, I think it would be, for me, a super interesting experiment to try and use these salvaged components as much as possible. What workflows do I need to come up with to salvage these components? Which are the most salvageable, how to recognise them? What can they be used for? And, how to deal with the carcass of the printer? Is the approach madness, or a viable option?
== When ==
'''November'''
* Talk to riviera about shared project proposals?
* Start salvaging!
* Make &amp; document first sound device(s)  
* 2nd repair club klankschool  
* Create repair club logging system
* ''!No reading!''
''22nd November 2024 Deadline Project Proposal''


'''December'''
<span id="what-came-before"></span>
* Contact some from the "who" list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Continue salvaging!
* !Lots of reading again!
* ?Thesis outline 2.0?
* Continue repair club
'''Januari'''
* Contact some from the "who" list for possible workshops/DIWO events
* Continue salvaging!
'''Februari'''
* Do the DIWO/workhops?
'''Maart'''
* Do the DIWO/workhops?
* Write the thesis
''14th March 2025 Deadline First Draft Thesis''
'''April'''
* Write the thesis
''18th April 2025 Deadline Thesis''
'''Mei'''
* Do the DIWO/workhops?
* Wrap up
== What came before ==
== What came before ==
I enjoy making systems and more specifically sound systems.
== Which context ==
TODO
== References ==
* Garnet Hertz, Critical Making[http://conceptlab.com/ Garnet Hertz - conceptlab.com]
* Richards, J. (2013) Beyond DIY in Electronic Music. Organised Sound
* Speculative sound circuits Richards J.
* The rise of LOFI culture, spencer A 2008
* Hardware hacking and recycling strategies in an age of technological obsolesence
* the art of electronics
* Shannon Mattern, "Maintenance and Care," _P
== About the thesis itself ==
In the thesis I want to describe the "outcomes" of the experiments done with salvaged components. As the both the experiments and the outcomes are a bit unclear, I find it difficult to describe (pin myself down to) the specific topics the thesis will be about, as I want the practical side of things to still be left open.


Ideally, the thesis could be a guide (not how to or for dummy’s) on salvaging components for making small audio systems with. From where to find the e-waste, which components are usable and how to recognise. It could also be left open in its "design", leaving blank pages to be filled in with later salvaged knowledge.
During my previous studies, my graduation project was about collaborative synthesizers using web technologies. This background in web development means I am '''very''' excited about using web2print FLOSS to create a snapshot in time of a living document. In the last couple of years, I’ve shifted my focus a bit from the web as a material to (re)making with hardware. At XPUB, this resulted in turning [[printers into performative devices]], hosting a [[Colloquium about making music with (salvaged) motors]], and an earlier attempt to turn a [[printer into a battery-powered pen plotter]].


Next to this, I think it’s good to explore the why’s a bit more:
* Hacking/DIY’ing/Salvaging/repair’ing as a way of re-claiming ownership
** (and media archeology? and anti black boxism? and anti-consumerism?)
* Salvaging as a moment of celebration


{{video|mp4=https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mw-mediadesign/images/e/ea/Vitrinekast_proposal_project_3.mp4|style=width:250px}}
''ExtraTonal Printer special: Printer Jam riviera''
{{video|mp4=https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mw-mediadesign/images/4/4c/Vitrinekast_proposal_project_2.mp4|style=width:250px}}
''During the Colloquium, the created sound devices didn't just make sound, they also moved mega fast!''


[[File:vitrinekast_proposal_project_1.jpeg|border|frameless|250px]]


<references />
''This battery powered printer plotter makes a note for every passenger in the maastunnel''


= More chaotic version =
In the first year of XPUB, I’ve become more interested in using workshops as a method of sharing and exchanging research. I’ve been part of many workshops around DIY/Circuit Bending/Synthesizer Building/Permacomputing, and found this a very enjoyable, non-hierarchical way of sharing knowledge and uncovering unknown concepts.  
Hello reader. I am +/- 1 - 2 weeks behind on writing project proposals. But i'll get there eventually. Sorry (but not really that sorry) for the mess.


Project proposal
== Which context ==
**1 What do you want to make?**
I want to position the research in the middle of the ideas of salvage computing<ref>‘Salvage computing’ (no date) ''Salvage computing''. https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/ (Accessed: November 22, 2024).</ref> and DIY culture <ref>Critical Making (2012). California, United States of America: Telharmonium Press, Hollywood. https://conceptlab.com/criticalmaking.</ref>. Within the DIY synth community specifically, DIY/DIWO is a common practice<ref>Richards, J. (2013) ‘Beyond DIY in electronic music,’ Organised Sound, 18(3), pp. 274–281. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1355771813000241.</ref> <ref>Collins, N. (2006) Handmade Electronic Music: the art of hardware hacking. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL29487230M/Handmade_Electronic_Music.</ref>, where people explore circuits together during workshops. However, these circuits often come in kits<ref>[https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/byom/ Clacktronics – BUILD YOUR OWN MODULAR – Thonk – DIY Synthesizer Kits &amp; Components]</ref>, featuring brand-new components and rigid instructions. To me, knowing that e-waste is such a big environmental issue, this goes against my (probably romanticized) ideas of punk in DIY culture, where you create with what is available around you<ref>Spencer, A. (2005) DIY: The Rise of Lo-fi Culture. Marion Boyars Publishers.</ref>.
I'll research ways of re-purposing abandoned media in the making of sound devices and performances. The first version was Printer Jam, a performance i did with riviera around printers and live coding. As a thesis project, I want to push this idea even further. Salvaging components and hardware from abandoned media to make new sound devices, as we for sure need electronic music after the inevitable apocalypse.


2 How do you plan to make it? Do the steps proposed sound feasible? Are there any steps omitted?
''<small>But maybe (probably) my perspective on DIY culture is outdated and in need of a proper refresh</small>''.
TBA


3 What is your timetable? Does the timing of the project’s realisation sound feasible?
<span id="key-texts"></span>
TBA
== Key texts ==


4 Why do you want to make it? Is the motivation for undertaking the project clear? If not, how can this be improved?
''Dear reader! As I’ll spend a lot of time de-soldering components the coming months, I’m looking for audio references! So if you have any podcasts/radio shows/interviews/audio books/etc, please let me know!''
I really want to make sound devices, and I really want to try and compose with these somewhat unorthodox instruments.


5 Who can help you and how? Are there people in your network that might be of help in developing this project?
I will collaborate closely with Riviera to make the performance, and make the performance on top of the klankserver, a server that she hosts.


6 Relation to previous practice:
* Collins, N. (2006) ''Handmade Electronic Music: the art of hardware hacking''. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL29487230M/Handmade_Electronic_Music.
yes
* Hertz, G. (ed.) (2012) ''Critical Making''. Hollywood, California: Telharmonium
* Horowitz, P. and Hill, W. (2015) ''The art of electronics''. Cambridge University Press.Press, Hollywood. https://conceptlab.com/criticalmaking.
* Mattern, S. (2018b) ‘Maintenance and care,’ ''Places'' [Preprint], (2018). https://doi.org/10.22269/181120.
* Postma, M. (2015) ''Weggooien? Mooi niet!'' Virtumedia B.V.
* Richards, J. (2013) ‘Beyond DIY in electronic music,’ Organised Sound, 18(3), pp. 274–281. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1355771813000241.
* John Richards. Speculative Sound Circuits. 2018. DOI: 10.14236/ewic/EVAC18.33
* ‘Salvage computing’ (no date) ''Salvage computing''. https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/ (Accessed: November 22, 2024).
* Spencer, A. (2005) DIY: The Rise of Lo-fi Culture. Marion Boyars Publishers.


7 Relation to a larger context: Is it clear how the work is embedded in a broader context of art works, theory, etc.?


8 References/bibliography: Are there any references or sources you feel are connected to this project?
=== Footnotes ===
 
<references />
Thesis
 
1 Intro aka WHAT do you want to research: Is it clear what this text is about, what is its central research question?
2 For each proposed chapter: Is it clear what this chapter will look into and is it clear how it relates and works towards answering the central research question?
3 Method aka HOW will you go about answering your research question: Is there a choice of research method and if so, is it a good fit with the central research question?
4 Mode of address aka HOW you want to tell your story.: Is there a choice for a mode of address and if so, does it fit the topic and method of the thesis?
 
== Previous version ==
 
I want to write about the current state of repairs? Where we as consumers no longer own devices (or "stuffs"), we also no longer feel obligated to maintain those devices. Not only that, we as consumers are discouraged to repair or modify the devices. Afraid of losing warranties, we lose repair skills instead. I consider the ability to repair something an important skill.
 
There is already written loads around this topic. There is the Right to Repair movement, more focussing on politics, repair cafe's, where knowledge is exchange (and maybe some things are repaired), online platforms such as ifixit or other repair wiki's. So i'm not sure yet what this thesis will add to it, but i guess it's an important topic to me.
 
If your vacuum breaks there are , in my understanding for the general public, a few things you could do. You can take your shitty vacuum to a repair cafe where an unpaid volunteer will fix it or you could buy a new shitty vacuum and throw the plastics in a recycling bin, where a small percentage of your shitty vacuum might turn into a fairphone, but since your shitty vacuum is probably created out of mixed plastic, it will most likely be burned.
 
However, there are a few methods/practices/ideas/proposals around the ecosystem of this shitty vacuum. And i'd like to write about that too. (Celebration of end of life products)
 
The three issues i want to explore are:
- Being discouraged to repair
- (Celebration of) end of life products
- Media archeology? What to do with devices that have no use in it's intended design? (Yes, pushing printers in there).
 
Mode of address is personal/from my perspective.
 
also, it will be in markdown, not in wikisyntax

Latest revision as of 01:02, 23 November 2024


Apple certified Modifier

Make: synthesizers after the apocalypse

In this project, I will research the various ways in which abandoned media can be repurposed into sound devices. I consider "abandoned media" to be discarded devices that no longer serve their original intended purpose yet could still function as something else. For instance, a printer that has an “Internal Communication Problem” being repurposed into a percussive instrument, as happened in Printer Jam [1]. I’ll explore the ideas of speculative sound circuits, where playful and absurdist methodologies are applied to create sound using various unlikely technological devices (Richards, 2018) [2] , and Salvage Computing[3]. This will happen in a series of DIY/DIWO workshops/hangouts. The workshops will be hosted at Klankschool[4], together with Riviera Taylor.

Salvaging sound devices

The real long-term future of computing consists of figuring out how to make the best possible use we can out of the literal millions of devices which already exist Solderpunk, 2020, Cited in de Valk, 2022)[5]

Buying new (electronic) parts and components is usually cheaper than repairing or salvaging. Even more conveniently, in the online community of DIY synthesizers, it is common practice to share an Mouser Project Cart[6] alongside the schematics, when publishing your project. This allows you to buy all the needed parts within just a few clicks. To me, this introduces the idea that you need to buy these super specific components in order to succeed, instead of making the inconveniences that come with salvaging part of the creative process. I’ve found that the DIY/DIWO moments where these notions are less prominent, way more empowering and educational.

Here are some samples I’ve collected during workshops:





DIWO Hangouts

During the hangouts, we will explore various methods around salvaging components and dismantling devices, making our own instruments using these materials, live coding hardware through MQTT/OSC[7] servers & applications, and everything in between. Ultimately, they could lead up to a BYOP (Bring Your Own Printer) Orchestra. The hangouts will be held at the Klankschool and involve the Klankschool community. The hangouts are hosted in collaboration with Riviera Taylor, who’s writing a thesis about System Administration and Server Maintenance, and creating her project around Klankschool too.

Collaboration with Riviera Taylor

Part of this project is a collaboration with Riviera. Me and Riviera will divide the responsibility of hosting, where (in a nutshell) Riviera will focus more on the server side of things and my focus will be around hardware. Together, we will document the hangouts thoroughly in Markdown. We will set up a documentation system, that (due to markdowns fantastic nesting abilities) can have the various outlets we would like. For instance, in the format of a newsletter to be sent out to the community of Klankschool, their archive, parts of my thesis, and Riviera’s thesis.

Our collaboration will be one with a lowercase c, where we will work together and alongside one another, but are not dependent on each other.

Who

  • The klankschool community
  • Trashure expert Joak
  • Operator Radio to talk about post apocalyptic electronic music, but also to create the workshop in a different environment
  • Roodkapje to host events such as the BYOP orchestra
  • XPUB community
  • Creative Coding Utrecht - space to host events

Why

When reading about Salvage Computing I got very excited, as it could give me a different vocabulary when working with salvaged electronic components as a material. The last year I’ve been a part of various workshops around DIY/Electronics/Circuit Bending, etc., and I’ve been increasingly surprised by the way some people spoke about the materials being used. Especially around material that is “broken” (what is broken anyway, who decides when something is broken), it was sometimes seen as valueless and waste, to be discarded and not thought about again.

Instead of turning this project into a consumer-blaming, finger-pointing project, I want to take the opportunity to explore if it is actually possible to go in full-salvage mode. What workflows do I need to come up with to salvage these components? Which are the most salvageable? How to recognize them? What can they be used for? And how to deal with the carcass of the printer? Is the approach a viable way of working, or only for those privileged enough where they can actually spend this much time?

When

<img src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/thegoodplace/images/a/a7/Jeremy_Bearimy.jpeg/revision/latest?cb=20181026224942" style="width: 100%">

Keeping track of time with Jeremy Bearimy

November

!No read november!

  • Start salvaging an inventory & investigate recipes
  • Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
  • Investigate static site generators for Markdown2HTML2print documentation
  • write this proposal

December

  • Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
  • Continue salvaging & documenting
  • Prepare DIWO hangouts
  • Define DIWO topics
  • Build a documentation system
  • Continuation of the repair club at klankschool

Januari

  • Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
  • Reflect on salvaged inventory and build the “Components” chapter
  • Document 2 recipes for the thesis
  • Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
  • 1st DIWO hangout at klankschool

Februari

  • Continue salvaging
  • Document 2 recipes for the thesis
  • Reflect on recipes and build the “recipes chapter”
  • Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
  • 2nd DIWO hangouts at klankschool

March

  • Continue salvaging
  • Document 2 recipes for the thesis
  • Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
  • 3rd DIWO hangouts at klankschool
  • Complete first draft thesis 14th March 2025 Deadline First Draft Thesis

April

  • Continue salvaging
  • Finalise thesis
  • Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
  • 4th DIWO hangouts at klankschool AND/OR BYOP Orchestra 18th April 2025 Deadline Thesis

May

  • Continue salvaging
  • Prepare printed version of the thesis
  • Prepare graduation show
  • Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
  • 5th DIWO hangouts at klankschool

June

What came before

During my previous studies, my graduation project was about collaborative synthesizers using web technologies. This background in web development means I am very excited about using web2print FLOSS to create a snapshot in time of a living document. In the last couple of years, I’ve shifted my focus a bit from the web as a material to (re)making with hardware. At XPUB, this resulted in turning printers into performative devices, hosting a Colloquium about making music with (salvaged) motors, and an earlier attempt to turn a printer into a battery-powered pen plotter.



ExtraTonal Printer special: Printer Jam riviera


During the Colloquium, the created sound devices didn't just make sound, they also moved mega fast!

Vitrinekast proposal project 1.jpeg

This battery powered printer plotter makes a note for every passenger in the maastunnel

In the first year of XPUB, I’ve become more interested in using workshops as a method of sharing and exchanging research. I’ve been part of many workshops around DIY/Circuit Bending/Synthesizer Building/Permacomputing, and found this a very enjoyable, non-hierarchical way of sharing knowledge and uncovering unknown concepts.

Which context

I want to position the research in the middle of the ideas of salvage computing[8] and DIY culture [9]. Within the DIY synth community specifically, DIY/DIWO is a common practice[10] [11], where people explore circuits together during workshops. However, these circuits often come in kits[12], featuring brand-new components and rigid instructions. To me, knowing that e-waste is such a big environmental issue, this goes against my (probably romanticized) ideas of punk in DIY culture, where you create with what is available around you[13].

But maybe (probably) my perspective on DIY culture is outdated and in need of a proper refresh.

Key texts

Dear reader! As I’ll spend a lot of time de-soldering components the coming months, I’m looking for audio references! So if you have any podcasts/radio shows/interviews/audio books/etc, please let me know!



Footnotes

  1. ↑ Printer Jam: Get a grip on everyday life with OSC (Gulaschprogrammiernacht 2024). See https://media.ccc.de/v/gpn22-457-printer-jam-get-a-grip-on-everyday-life-with-osc.
  2. ↑ John Richards. Speculative Sound Circuits. 2018. DOI: 10.14236/ewic/EVAC18.33
  3. ↑ ‘Salvage computing’ (no date) Salvage computing. https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/ (Accessed: November 22, 2024).
  4. ↑ Klankschool is a community operating a space (and a server) in the south of Rotterdam. Its members share a common interest in performances, sound art, improvisation, noise, … Each member is a teacher, student, musician, janitor and more. The motivation to have a community-run space is to share sounds, work on projects, organise events, hang out, exhibit works, learn, teach and listen. See https://klank.school/
  5. ↑ ‘Salvage computing’ (no date) Salvage computing. https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/ (Accessed: November 22, 2024).
  6. ↑ A digital shopping cart provided by Mouser Electronics, a large distributor of electronic components. See https://eu.mouser.com/Tools/ProjectCartSharing
  7. ↑ MQTT and OSC are messaging protocols. MQTT is used for small IoT devices, OSC usually for sound software/hardware. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MQTT and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Sound_Control
  8. ↑ ‘Salvage computing’ (no date) Salvage computing. https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/ (Accessed: November 22, 2024).
  9. ↑ Critical Making (2012). California, United States of America: Telharmonium Press, Hollywood. https://conceptlab.com/criticalmaking.
  10. ↑ Richards, J. (2013) ‘Beyond DIY in electronic music,’ Organised Sound, 18(3), pp. 274–281. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1355771813000241.
  11. ↑ Collins, N. (2006) Handmade Electronic Music: the art of hardware hacking. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL29487230M/Handmade_Electronic_Music.
  12. ↑ Clacktronics – BUILD YOUR OWN MODULAR – Thonk – DIY Synthesizer Kits & Components
  13. ↑ Spencer, A. (2005) DIY: The Rise of Lo-fi Culture. Marion Boyars Publishers.
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