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*This is a message to the PARIP discussion list. Please be aware that your replies will be sent to all members on the list, unless otherwise specified* Dear all, We are pleased to invite you to join us for the following research event. Division of Performance Studies, Centre for Practice-led Research in the Arts, University of Northampton Wednesday 10th May, 1.00-2.30pm BRAINDANCE - PERFORMING REAL-TIME INTERACTION WITH SONIFIED BRAIN SIGNALS by Thilo Hinterberger PhD, University of Northampton. Abstract The most natural sources of rhythm are located in our body itself. Some of these we can feel and sense such as respiration and heart beat. Another source - our brain - shows a continuously changing activity with rhythmic and chaotic elements. Although we are not aware of these processes they can be measured with highly sensitive electronic devices such as the electroencephalogram (EEG). Here, a device called the Thought Translation Device (TTD) is presented, which allows translation of the ongoing brain activity into sound and music. The TTD provides visual and/or auditory feedback of different brain signals from which people can learn to self regulate their brain states and interact with them. Once one has learned to reliably control a brain signal, this skill can be used to control a cursor on a computer screen and, for example, select letters and words or even navigate through the internet. As a main application, the TTD can offer completely paralysed patients to communicate with a computer through thoughts and states of consciousness without any muscular assistance. In order to create “brainmusic” with the TTD a module was integrated that allows for an “orchestral sonification” of different brain signals and rhythms, simultaneously and in real time. The project “braindance” is realised by a dancer wearing a portable EEG amplifier which sends his brain signals to a computer for sonification. By presenting the live music of selected brain rhythms to the dancer they can empathise with those rhythms and interact with them in a closed feedback loop. A braindance performance is an artistic presentation of the hidden harmonic and chaotic spiritedness of our brain by sound and dance. Biographical Sketch Thilo Hinterberger (PhD) studied physics at the University of Ulm, Germany. Since 1997 he worked at the Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology at the University of Tübingen, Germany, on the development of the brain-computer interface “Thought Translation Device”. In 1999 he finished his PhD on the development of a brain-computer communication system for completely paralysed patients. Since 2006 he has been working at the Division of Social Sciences at the University of Northampton as a senior research fellow. Venue: MR8 Studio, Avenue Campus, St.George's Avenue, University of Northampton, Northampton. For further information please contact: Vida Midgelow PhD (Reader, Performance Studies and Dance) [log in to unmask] or Thilo Hinterberger PhD (Senior Research Fellow) [log in to unmask]