Welcome to CymaSpace, the performing arts venue that engages all the senses.
(pronounced “sai’-mae-speɪs”)
–from the Greek word “kyma,” meaning “wave.”
At CymaSpace, we present music and dance performance enhanced by specialized equipment and installations which incorporate visual and tactile elements synchronized with the movement and sound.
CymaSpace also facilitates research and development of this technology which translates and interacts with live audio performance through sight (light) and touch (pressure/vibration).
We believe that when artists engage more of the senses, their work is not only more impactful and exciting, but also more accessible to the Deaf, Deaf-Blind & Hard-of-Hearing community.
(note: captions available by clicking on the ‘CC’ button).
CymaSpace is a non-profit, Deaf-friendly venue that features sound-reactive lighting and vibro-haptic furniture that were developed by an in-house arts & tech team, led by founder Myles de Bastion, a Deaf musician. With cooperation and input from the local “maker” community, de Bastion (Executive Director) has already designed –and presented in live performance– a number of custom installations to make music more accessible to others like himself.
Projects have included prototypes for LED light triggers for individual instruments (drums, electric guitar, keyboard, vocals) as well as lighting systems which react to the overall sound of the live music. But, this is more than just an elaborate light show pulsing to the beat of the drums; CymaSpace is working to develop technology that reacts to frequency, amplitude and harmonic content, producing rich visual representations of the complex landscape of the audio information that makes up a live musical performance. This technology is already proving capable of reflecting some of the unique, interactive layers that ensemble music is made up of, providing a compelling and exciting translation of rhythm, melody, harmony and voicing.
Similarly, vibro-haptic furniture produces tactile sensations that are coordinated with the music. Using technology similar to the mechanism which causes a mobile phone to vibrate, audience members can quite literally “feel” the music.
Events at CymaSpace are an opportunity for performers, tech developers and audience, alike, to enjoy these exciting innovations. Many of the volunteers and artists who participate at CymaSpace are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and/or fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). At CymaSpace, you will find Hearing and Deaf alike attending events together and collaborating on projects. To learn more –and see examples of our events– please watch our introductory video, above.
Art; Technology; Live Performance; Building Bridges between Communities.
…this is CymaSpace.
CymaSpace is located in South-East Portland, Oregon. USA and regularly hosts multi-sensorial events that are open to all ages and designed to bridge communities. If you are interested in attending an event, please sign up to our mailing list to get early access to event information and tickets. Space is limited!
