PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

Our sessions and exhibitions serve as valuable resources to stay informed about the latest developments in the Networking Performance Art scene. Additionally, we will be hosting demonstrations and discussions, providing you with the opportunity to witness our innovations firsthand!
WED 11/09

11:30 – 12:30

NPAPW 101: State of the Art

Justin Trieger, New World Symphony Miami

Juozas Karosas hall

This presentation will review the history of teleconferencing development and its use in the performing arts. Brief overviews of the major tools in use today, including their strengths and weaknesses, will equip conference attendees with a base understanding for framing the program sessions that follow. 

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 14:00

NPAPW Opening

Rector Judita Žukienė, LMTA
Ann Doyle, Internet 2
Domenico Vicinanza, GÉANT

14:00 – 14:30

MVTP – Low-latency multipoint audiovisual connections with hardware support

Sven Ubik, CESNET

Juozas Karosas hall

Over the past few years, we have developed MVTP technology for low-latency audiovisual transmissions, specifically designed for distance collaboration in performing arts. MVTP devices transmit high-quality HD or 4K video and multi-channel audio with an added latency of under 3 ms. The devices are small, easy to use and completely silent. The technology has been used for many distributed performances worldwide and has won several awards. We will present the latest innovations to this technology as of 2024, which now include AES audio support and unique packet loss video error concealment with zero added latency for lossy network paths. We will present examples of how the technology has been used for recent distributed events, including connecting two choirs with over 100 singers. In addition to the presentation, we will also demonstrate the use of the technology for a live connection between three venues with audio and high-quality video. The preliminary arangement is a piano, violin and violoncello trio playing together between Vilnius, Tallinn and Prague.

14:30 – 15:00

eduMEET v4 an independent open source software for secure and private VC

Bartek Idzikowski, PSNC, Sikt

Juozas Karosas hall

New eduMEET with new architecture, scalability and independence. The presentation will not only highlight the new capabilities of this secure videoconferencing solution (including peer to peer connections) for and by our community. Mechanisms for management and administrative support will also be presented. These make a more user-friendly experience and environment not only for meeting participants, but also for administrators. eduMEET is now independent open source software with support from our community and The Commons Conservancy. Interesting details about this hybrid approach will be also highlighted during presentation and demo.

15:00 – 15:30

Coffee Break

15:30 – 16:00

Surviving mobile networks with UltraGrid

Milos Liska, CESNET

Juozas Karosas hall

In this talk we give a perspective on deploying UltraGrid for low-latency transmissions in 4G and 5G mobile networks. Very high quality and especially low-latency transmissions are traditionally linked with high-speed, usually optical and academic networks. While academic backbone networks provide unmatched service for low-latency audiovisual transmission, last mile networks are often barely usable without additional effort of local network engineers. For that reason we have experimented with using 4G and 5G mobile networks with UltraGrid quite extensively during the last year. While mobile networks are obviously not optimal especially for high-quality and low latency audiovisual transmissions, UltraGrid provides a lot of functionality to overcome adversities such as packet loss. In this talk we summarize our experiences and what to expect if mobile networks are used for high-quality and low-latency audiovisual transmissions.

16:00 – 16:30

Culture Net 3.0: The long road to a telematic Nimbra setup

Eigil Aandahl, Sikt – Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research

Juozas Karosas hall

This paper and presentation elucidates the technical implementation of Culture Net 3.0, a pioneering project aimed at facilitating high-quality, real-time teaching between four culture schools across Norway leveraging telematic network infrastructure and audiovisual equipment. A cornerstone of this project is the application of Nimbra media switch routers (MSRs) from Netinsight. The presentation will delve into the challenges encountered and overcome during the project, including network distribution logistics, equipment delivery and installation, configuration of Nimbra MSRs, and finalizing the technical deliveries for the culture schools to commence pedagogical activities. The paper takes inspiration from first-hand experiences with Nimbra technology and lessons learned from training sessions at Netinsight’s Stockholm offices. It also incorporates insights from the successful execution of the NCDP-coordinated theatre project “Tre Rum” (“Three Rooms”) across Norway, Sweden, and Finland, aided by Culture Net 3.0. The paper aims to share these experiences and insights with the NPAPW community, building on the previous discussions on Nimbra applications for real-time networked arts performance.

16:30 – 17:00

Telematicking from Home: Using KOORD over Commercial Internet

Tom Zlabinger, Telematic Studios

Juozas Karosas hall

During the pandemic, I was forced to remotely direct the York College Jazz Band, a 16-member, New York City-based student ensemble. After experimenting with many possibilities, I decided to use Jamulus with KOORD.live service over commercial internet, which employs a distributed hub model as opposed to p2p. After the experience of directing the band telematically for three semesters (Spring 2021 – Spring 2022), I have continued using KOORD servers with the KOORD app. For over a year, I have worked closely with Dan Garton, the developer of KOORD. After beta testing and user feedback, KOORD now includes YouTube streaming and will soon include a karaoke option. The presentation will briefly explain the KOORD app and give a live presentation of telematic music making.

20:00

Opening Concert (LoLa)

Collaboration between LMTA, MDW Vienna and Conservatorio Tartini (Trieste)

Grand hall

THU 12/09

09:30 – 10:00

aaron´s law – from 0 to 80.000

Renate Kreil, ACOnet

Juozas Karosas hall

We introduce you in our ongoing project aaron’s law dedicated to Aaron Swartz, the American computer programmer, writer, political organizer and Internet activist for open and free access to knowledge (* 8 November 1986 in Chicago, † 11 January 2013 in New York City).
What has already happened and where is the journey going?
When Aaron and the Internet met, they were both very young. When three-year-old Aaron was just turning on his first computer, the first networked concerts already happened and Tim Berners-Lee and his team at CERN were designing their hypertext project – the birth of the World Wide Web.

We present the outstanding art projects of our 10 great cooperation partners, who, inspired by Aaron, reflect, and narrate the impact of technological developments on art production: Through exhibitions, symposia, workshops, easy listening on the sidewalk and much more. And we talk about metamorphoses and how it came about that an Aaron Swartz puppet is now a permanent member of the crazy ensemble in a magical puppet theater in Vienna. How the INSIGHT:AARON virtual museum has developed and how augmented reality and AI can now be used to encounter Aaron audio-visually in public space.

10:00 – 10:30

LoLa Technical Update

Claudio Allocchio, GARR

Juozas Karosas hall

LoLa evolves, since ever, following its users’ requeste, or at least trying the best to make true their requirements and dreams. As technology also evolves fast, LoLa tries to catch the best possible new opportunities also in this field, to become better. This short session provides an overlook on how LoLa is evolving, but also is the occasion to put your ideas and suggestions in the “wish list”.

10:30 – 11:30

Networking Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:00

Cognitive science meets arts, based on Posemo emotional response system

Jan Skorupa, PSNC

Juozas Karosas hall

Practical workshop presenting a specific and artistic use case of emotional response system Posemo. Using an edu meet Posemo implementation we will create a musical performance based on sonification data of participant’s emotional feedback and biosensors.

12:00 – 12:30

Personalized artificial intelligence in support of multisensory learning – integrating interfaces of music, sound, and image in art education

Matti Ruippo, Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Juozas Karosas hall

This project presents a joint effort involving four Finnish universities aimed at advancing art education through the integration of personalized artificial intelligence (AI) in support of multisensory learning. Specifically, the project focuses on training music and visual arts educators to effectively utilize personalized generative AI to integrate interfaces of music, sound, and image within art education. The overarching goal is to bolster AI-supported pedagogy across diverse educational settings and foster the promotion of integrated art education within digital learning environments. Collaboration among the participating universities is central to the project’s implementation. The project outlines several key objectives: 1. Developing the capacity of art educators to harness generative AI in music and visual arts education. 2. Promoting interdisciplinary integration of art subjects and laying the groundwork for the development of AI pedagogy, encompassing both teaching about AI and teaching with AI assistance. 3. Assisting educators in personalizing instructional design, implementation, and assessment through generative AI technologies. 4. Advancing the professional growth and networking of music and visual arts educators by sharing best practices and research findings. Through this project, educators engaged in music and visual arts education across various educational contexts will enhance their proficiency in leveraging AI technologies. They will acquire novel methodologies and insights for integrated arts education and supportive pedagogical approaches. Moreover, the project will equip participants with collaborative teaching skills and the ability to engage in AI-based teamwork, particularly within phenomenon-based and interdisciplinary learning environments. Furthermore, the project outcomes will pave the way for a comprehensive collaborative initiative leveraging remote connections with universities in the Nordic and Baltic regions. This initiative will further propel the advancement of art education by integrating the interfaces of music, sound, and image, thereby fostering innovative approaches to teaching, and learning in the field.

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 14:00

#streamwalkers

Ana Monro Theatre

Juozas Karosas hall

We would like to present an innovative, web based platform for enhanced theatrical experience/interaction with online audience. The platform called SIMS (Synchronous Interactive Multi Stream – https://www.anamonro.si/en/pillar/sims/ ) has been developed during and after the pandemic in order to allow distant audience to attend – in its own way – a street theatre performance. The platform is being developed by an internationally renown street theatre group Ana Monro Theatre from Slovenia and in collaboration with ARNES (Slovenian NREN). While the aim of the theatre group is to maximize simplicity and flexibility (no fancy equipment required), various technical challenges are addressed by exploring different back-end platforms and modifying or adapting the functionality of the existing multimedia services.

14:00 – 14:30

Lost in the North Atlantic: a case study on the state of remote performance practices in Iceland

Petur Jonasson, Iceland University of the Arts

Juozas Karosas hall

Iceland, tiny as to number of inhabitants (400.000) but large in area (103.000 km2), is an independent island nation situated on the border of the North Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans. Belonging to the European Economic Area, needless to say it is the most sparsely populated country in the whole of Europe. Sitting on top of an intersection of tectonic plates, nature repeatedly shows its force through frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Also, due to high latitude (65°N), extreme weather conditions can develop at almost any moment resulting in roads becoming closed because of snowstorms coupled with high winds, a situation often lasting for days on end. Whole communities can therefore become completely isolated at the wave of a hand. This desolate, violent description is in contrast with the living standards where in many aspects we rate among the highest and most advanced in the world. Our health and education systems are modelled on our fellow Nordic countries, that is, much official financial resources are channelled into these important aspects of life. One example is that almost every town or village in the country has its own music school, funded by the local community. Today, the number of these is 84, and they are very well attended. Culturally, although we ususally compare ourselves to our above-mentioned Nordic neighbors in the East and Continental Europe, we are also strongly influenced by our neighbors in the West: America. It has been postulated that Icelandic music has its own sound, stemming from this blend of cultural influences. Björk is often mentioned in that context. It has also been postulated that our seemingly bottomless curiosity and interest in the latest technology and our willingness to engage with, and own, whatever new aparatus appears on the market is a manifestation of the above. Some say that the adventurous Viking spirit still within us plays a role. In light of the above, it is surprising that when it comes to real-time, synchronous online communication, Iceland is on square one. In other words, the technology needed for high-quality, low-latency remote interaction is non-existent. Given the obvious need within the country itself, and for the sake of communicating in that way with the rest of the world, it is for the author of this proposal a total mystery. Informed by the author´s experience of research into aspects of synchronous online learning, rehearsal, and performance in music (see, for example Lisboa, Jónasson, & Johnson, 2021), approaching the topic from diverse standpoints, this presentation will attempt to uncover the reasons for the above; map out a strategy for improvement (hopefully with real-time help from experts attending the presentation); and propose questions for the future. For instance: Could Iceland develop quickly from its current novice status to playing a leading role in the above context, being perhaps the perfect place for experimentation? Could it even become a hub for high-speed connections across the Atlantic?

14:30 – 15:00

Global Jazz Café

David Spencer, University of Memphis/HAMU

Balcony Theatre

15:00 – 15:30

Coffee Break

15:30 – 16:00

Remote performance of duo for kantele and computer (Demo)

Jussi Tuohino, Oulu University of Applied Sciences

Juozas Karosas hall

The duo for kantele and computer consists of Osmo Hakosalo and Jussi Tuohino (instruments noted respectively). The ancient instrument kantele is estimated to be 2000 years old and belongs to the zither family. Kantele’s soft and relatively quiet sound has a sharp attack component, but otherwise the tone is mellow and calming. With extended playing techniques (for example harmonics, bowing, striking and metal preparations) kantele’s sound can be taken to completely new sonic territories. Hakosalo–Tuohino duo takes the sonic properties of kantele still many steps further: from the acoustic sound immersive soundscapes are built in intuitive and open-ended fashion. With both performers having varied musical backgrounds in folk, classical, jazz, and electronic music, the duo is able to perform without premade plans regarding musical form and microscale decisions concerning sound material. Kantele-playing is traditionally improvised, and an interesting confluence to freeform electroacoustic live performance can easily be made. But can the strong musical connection between the performers hold up remotely? Hakosalo–Tuohino duo will explore this with Hakosalo performing from Oulu, Finland, and Tuohino in the LMTA’s MiSC’s Ambisonic sound dome with the on-site audience.

16:00 – 16:30

Romeo and Juliet Online

Tom Gorman, University of Coventry

Juozas Karosas hall

With Romeo and Juliet Online (2024) Coventry embarked on a new partnership with L’Escola Superior d’Art Dramàtic de les Illes Balears (ESADIB) that refocused the Immersive Telepresence in Theatre project’s activities into exploring performance in a foreign language. Beginning in 2022 through an Erasmus exchange involving Pau Cirer, a specialist in mask work from ESADIB, who visited Coventry to share experiences with professors from there, who later visited ESADIB in 2023 to discuss a potential future collaboration.

16:30 – 17:00

Trascending Realities in Networked Art Performances

Ian Biscoe, Design Academy Eindhoven / StudioBiscoe

Balcony Theatre

19:30

Social Dinner

Restaurant Dine, Gedimino pr. 45

FRI 13/09

09:00 – 09:30

Synchronized Interactive Multi-Stream on the Street and in the Server Room

Minka Harej and Tesa Robič, Arnes

Juozas Karosas hall

When the street theatre AnaMonro faced the challenge of empty streets, they came up with crazy ideas, ideas so good that even now, when the streets are full again, they continue to yield positive results. They decided to show street theatre to the home audience in a very special way, through the eyes of a film director, as the viewer could adjust the viewing of the performance themselves. This way of following street performances is interesting for viewers even today, and not just for performances, but also for events and conferences… In designing the solution, AnaMonro turned to Arnes, where, with combined efforts, Arnes infrastructure, and their own development, they created the SIMS system.

09:30 – 10:00

SIMS presentation from Ana Monro (Demo)

Ana Monro Theatre

Balcony Theatre

10:00 – 10:30

Acts For Hacks: Fragments (Demo)

Vasileios Agiomyrgianakis, University of West Attica
Haruka Hirayama, Hokkaido Information University
Hideaki Isobe, Tokyo College of Music

Juozas Karosas hall

The Acts for Hacks project (2022–) is for cross-media live performance with the application of real-time gestural painting for sound manipulation, which consists of a microcomputer, sensing technology, and interactive sound. In this performance (Acts for Hacks: Fragments), we aimed to explore the novel artistic expression and creative potential that lie between portrayal actions, graphical elements, dancing, and sonic events by investigating an appropriate networked interconnected system structure. This work will be conducted by two performers and a dancer. Performers are composers, and they have their own interlinked aural systems with painting actions in one place. The dancer manipulates sound from a remote location. This musical work will be created through dialogues of drawing (gestures and images), sound transformation and manipulation, and dancing using telematic technology with OSCGroups. One performer uses SuperCollider and the other uses Max to interpret their painting actions into sonic events.

10:30 – 11:30

Networking Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:30

MVTP demo (CESNET)

Sven Ubik, CESNET

Balcony Theatre

12:30 – 13:00

NPAPW Closing

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