VINST is a video installation and interactive sound performance enabling real-time control of both sonic and visual representation of my voice – thus creating an extraordinary fusion of human body sound and video.

VINST is a highly sensitive vocal instrument consisting of my body image displaying points of sonic sensitivity that can be played by all. The sounds are pre- or non- linguistic, and are based on how the body reacts to touch and how it produces sound. If you touch the body lightly, you get pure tones. If you press a bit more, you are tickling and get laughing; if you prod even more, you generate pain, but there are pleasurable sounds too.
On a free standing screen is VINST projected lifesize, silent, but for an occasional sound from its repertoire, awaiting any member of the public to activate it.

Performing VINST can be an intimate, moving, cathartic, playful and sensual experience as my instrumental body responds to touch, but also to mood and sensibility (mine and yours). Watching and listening to VINST is always fascinating because the voice (my voice) – liberated from the constraints of language and the thinking mind – freely bounces back between player listener and instrument, thus blurring all physical boundaries.

I personally derive as much pleasure playing (with) my virtual self as from watching others doing so.

Part of EXPO966 Sonic art network annual festival in June 2005 in Scarborough.

Part of LSO St Luke’s community festival , London July 2005
shown at Lagerhaus Neufelden in Austria in April/May 2006

Programmed in Max MSP and Jitter by Sebastian Lexer with financial support from Arts Council London and University College of the Creative Arts Research Fund.

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