Wonwoori

Wonwoori is a composer with a focus on deriving human values ​​and possibilities employing technology. He is developing electronic musical instruments for the hearing-impaired using cochlear implants (CI) and conducting research on the use of assistive devices for ensemble performances for the visually-impaired. Recently, he is working to make electroencephalogram data into a creative art after being impressed by the data the human brain displays. As part of the study on the musicalization of EEG, the artist has presented “Mind Wave” for haegeum and electronic sound, and live electronics “The Cycle of Memories” using memory data. In 2019 ICMC, “A Study on Granular Synthesis Sounding Using Electroencephalogram Data,” and “EEG Prepared Piano” have been cited as examples of the musical use of EEG.

WOW-LOG

Instruments and Music for the user of cochlear implants device

Cochlear implant users perceive sound and music in different ways from hearing people due to the technical limitations of the cochlear implant device. They can perceive and understand sounds from simple conversations, but find it difficult to perceive music with a wide range of notes. For this reason, it is difficult for most of the cochlear implant users to find pleasure in listening to music. In order to deliver the “pleasure of music” to cochlear implant users, it is necessary to share and understand different experiences of music and sound. In the <Wow-Log> project, Wonwoo Ri studied sound and the way of music perception with cochlear implant users, and based on this, he developed playful media, namely electronic musical instruments, that demonstrates the world of sound of cochlear implant users and creates music. The artist tried to understand the sounds from a different world and explore “what is the essential element of music” for humans through musical interaction.

• Yoonjung Park (cochlear implant user, researcher, co-composer)

• Jonghwa Park (co-planning and technical advisory)