Interactive Theremin Art Lab

Imagine standing with a group of friends, simply moving your hands in the air, and watching as your movements instantly create sounds, music, shifting colors, and mesmerizing visuals. An art installation that doesn't just display art, it empowers you to create it. This is the Theremin Art Lab—an interactive, collaborative, and playful experience that proves everyone is creative.

With that said, Hi there!

My name is Dennis, and I'm a live video performance artist in the local EDM scene here in Whitehorse, my hometown in the Yukon.

Over my years developing my art, I have come up with a system that I wish to bring to life: An interactive, socially connective, low barrier art installation that carries a playful philosophy about creativity and connection.

This project, which I have come to call a "Theremin Art Lab", would utilize classic theremin and control voltage / midi technology to create an easy-to-use system of control over a large assortment of artistic electronic equipment.

At this stage, the system would control a variety of audio and video software/hardware, allowing up to 8 simultaneous participants to create audio/visual art together simply by moving their hands / feet / body near multiple theremin antenna stations. This will interact with the electromagnetic field produced by the human body, allowing control via movement.

There are several goals and philosophies this system aims for:

Low Barrier for Interaction: This system requires no prior experience, knowledge, or traditional art skills. The only requirement is the willingness to move your body. It's welcoming to everyone, including neurodivergent individuals and those with limited physical capabilities.

Connection: The system thrives on multiple people interacting at once. As a group of friends or strangers, you can create beats, trigger sounds, blend videos, change colors, and more. This collaborative exploration naturally creates moments of connection, laughter, and shared joy.

Embrace the Process: Many people don't consider themselves creative because they focus on the final product. The Theremin Art Lab shifts the focus from the outcome to the experience. It's about enjoying the playful act of creation without pressure, proving that the process itself can be a meaningful and enriching experience.

Promoting Interactive Art: This project is a portable, re-deployable platform for collaboration. Because it uses the CV/MIDI standard, it can be integrated with a wide range of artistic audio/visual equipment. It will also be compatible with other equipment such as 12v motors, electromagnets, and LED strips. Its potential applications are vast, from theatre productions and music to art therapy and sensory interaction.

This project is ultimately inspired by the works of Alan Watts, specifically this quote:

"When dancing, you don’t aim at a particular spot in a room, as if that is where you should arrive. The whole point of dancing is the dance."

My message with this system is much the same: One does not need to create to reach a specific product, the act of creating is in itself an enjoyable, exploratory, meaningful and connective experience.

That all said, here is the reason I am crowdsourcing, the commitments I make, the details, and the cost:

I am a low-income artist, and it would take me a long time to save enough to build this project myself. I've already invested thousands in the audio/visual equipment needed for my performances. However, the interactive system—the part that makes this a social experience—is out of my reach.

I applied for an art grant, but was denied because they don't cover the high cost of materials. After talking with friends and colleagues, I decided to try crowdsourcing to bring this project to life. All research, budgeting, and sourcing of materials are complete. The knowledge required to make it work is already obtained.

I am seeking $6,000 for the fully-featured installation. All funding will go directly toward the interactive control system.

I have broken the project down into 3 tiers based on amount funded:

What it is: A basic proof-of-concept installation for one to two people.

The Experience: You and a friend can experiment with ambient sounds and simple visuals. It's the first step to proving the concept works.

Giving Back: 10% of first-year profits will be donated to the Yukon Humane Society.

What it is: An expanded system that brings people together.

The Experience: Up to four people can create collaborative sound and visuals, sparking moments of shared laughter and creativity. The "happy little accidents" begin here!

Giving Back: 20% of first-year profits will be donated to the Yukon Humane Society.

What it is: The complete vision—a truly social and expressive art installation, with the ability to evolve.

The Experience: Up to eight people can fully immerse themselves, capable of controlling not just audio/visuals, but also motors, electromagnets, and LED strips. An increased range of control over a wider set of parameters allow complex and engaging art exploration with community.

This is where the magic happens and "wow" moments are plentiful.

Giving Back: 50% of first-year profits will be donated to the Yukon Humane Society.

Here is a quick breakdown of the Tier 3 costs:

Modules: $4,763.87

Cables: $209.40

Protective Case: $367.49

Tripods: $646.76

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Total: $5,987.52

If donations exceed my goal, I will expand the system in new ways. Any excess funding that can't be used for the project will be donated to the Yukon Humane Society.

My Commitments to You:

Public Access: If the project is funded, I will debut it at a public event. My goal is to make it accessible to the public at free events at least twice a year, but ideally I will have it out more often than that.

Transparency: Once funded, I will reveal the parts used, how the system functions, and a detailed budget with receipts. This information, along with a list of donors, will be displayed alongside the installation.

Charitable Giving: For the first year of its use, a percentage of all profits from paid installations and performances will be donated to the Yukon Humane Society. This may be extended beyond 1 year depending on the success of the project.

Tier 1: 10%

Tier 2: 20%

Tier 3: 50%.

Long-Term Promise: I commit to not selling the crowdfunded system for personal profit for at least 10 years. If it is sold, the proceeds will go to charity.

Acknowledgement: All donors will be listed and thanked for making this project possible, with the option to remain anonymous.

This project will also be a vital tool for my own artistic development. By using it in my performances and collaborating with other artists, I can push the boundaries of my craft and create new, engaging experiences for our local scene.

By donating, you are allowing me to not only create this installation for the public to engage with at free and ticketed events, but to also used as an instrument for my visual art performances, or used by other artists for events they may be paid for.

You acknowledge that your donation will be supporting ways for me to turn my art into another source of personal income, which in turn will help me step closer to making my artistic work self sufficient.

This project's creative or even therapeutic uses will be expanded upon over the years.

This last section is a little about me, the person asking for your hard earned money:

I am a born and raised Yukoner, who left for 11 years and returned a little over 3 years ago. I am a creative of many mediums, and only in recent years have I really dedicated to being an artist after a lifetime of repressing and dismissing my interests and abilities.

I am a live video art performer under the name Vionysus, with a focus on creating sound reactive visuals to go alongside our local talented DJs. Primarily I collaborate with the very lovely Gnomes at Night production crew for the variety of dance events they create around town. Some collaborative works have also included incredibly talented local flow artists, a skilled lighting technician, plus an intelligent laser wizard. You guys know who you are.

I have also shown off my work during Yukonstruct's Makerfaire last year, volunteered a performance for the Creative Warehouse's fundraiser, and provided some entertainment for Yukonstruct's innovation awards at the Beringia Center.

I have performed quite a few events at a variety of venues around Whitehorse, ranging from the old 202, The Creative Warehouse, the KDCC, the KK, and heck, believe it or not... even Ricky's (weird, right?) Here are some pictures of some events I have contributed to:

You may know me as a big nerd who loves frogs, music, and coats that have a few extra inches to them. I'm passionate about play, therapy, creativity, and I adore the communities that make this small northern town my home.

I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities I have had in adding back to the Yukon's dance scene, which has been a great source of love, connection, meaning, and support in my creative endeavours.

Regardless of if you have the ability to donate to this project, thank you for reading all of this. I hope that you get to enjoy what I have to offer, and I appreciate you.

Thank you, and stay awesome.

~ Dennis Athron