Cat's Cradle by Bora Yoon

Co-created with Jeff Snyder and Davis Polito.
Performed by:
David Polito and Tom Morrison, longitudinal tethers
Liam Elliot, Yue Qiao, Lola Constantino, Lucy McKnight, lateral tethers
Bora Yoon and Claire Hu, hands (HotHand sensors)
“Cat’s Cradle” is a multimedia, interdisciplinary performance piece featuring a kinetic sound sculpture amplifying the architecturally installed web of tethers (GameTrak controllers), and hand-controlled motion sensors, manipulating elements and components of music and sound, rhythm and pitch. 2 players play a pantomimed game of Cat’s Cradle while hand motion sensors translate controller rotation sensor data into filters and large scale controls of the arrangement and composition. 6 other players perform the kinetic sound installation and installed tethers along longitudinal and lateral axises within a time-based performance, generating spectral harmonic drones, rhythmic phasing and beating, grooves and drones, between elements of the resultant soundscape. Visual shapes and kinetic patterns develop and dictate the form of the work akin to a game of Cat’s Cradle, but in this new intermedia context resulting in audible loops, progressions, and a musically delightful entanglement of shapes and musical co-creation.
“Cat’s Cradle" is inspired, influenced, and Informed by the work of creator/composer Ellen Fullman, inventor of the Long String Instrument (50 ft long string instrument installed in resonant spaces), bringing together the kinetic, sonic, and visual, in new forms for the exciting interdisciplinary medium of the Laptop Orchestra.
Special thanks to Jeff Snyder, Davis Polito, Collin Costa, Carlos Dias Jr., and Justin Stanley.