Filipe Lopes

Principal Investigator

composer, musician, professor, developer and curious

filipelopes.net

Sérgio Coutinho

Research fellow

artist, musician, developer, maker and friend.

sergiiio

CIPEM/INET-md

Research Center

Cipem/INET-md is a research structure oriented towards the promotion of scientific research in the areas of music psychology, music education and music in the community.

website

GAIA

a brief history

The Gaia was developed and designed specifically to sound at its best in wilderness spaces. To do so, starting in january 2023, we experimented with different instruments and electronic devices in wilderness spaces, delve into experimentations using platforms such as the bELa board and Daisy Seed, study new instruments and interfaces, study music composed to be performed in outdoor spaces and looked at the way luthiers design and approach the construction of indigenous and traditional music instruments. We also encompass readings

We ventured into the wildest environments possible, such as mountains, forrests or city parks, to draw inspiration, reflect on our work, and perform improvised music using both acoustic musical instruments, laptops and electronic music gear.

Although we knew Gaia would be an electroacoustic instrument, many of its features remained uncertain. Through studying other instruments and analyzing various platforms, we identified seven guiding principles to define Gaia's technological framework.

1. Low Latency

2. Able to Produce Acoustic Sound

3. Self-Contained and Rechargeable

4. Mid-size and Portable

5. Able to Synthesize Sounds and Sample sounds

6. Able to Collect Data From the Surrounding Environment

7. Able to Include Artificial Intelligence In The Signal Chain

We were fortunate to discover an abandoned log that seemed to speak to us, inspiring its use in our project. Over several months, we carefully shaped it, carving out a cavity to house the electronics while staying true to the principles we had established.

Extensive experimentation was conducted before arriving at a stable, tangible concept. The instrument's body, in particular, posed numerous questions: What form should it take? Where should the materials come from? How do we approach sustainability? And how do we physically engage and interact with it during performance?

After a year and a half of experimentation, research, analysis, and envisioning, Gaia made its debut, singing for the first time at a symposium held at Casa de São Roque - Centro de Arte Comporânea - in Porto.