Cyberspace in Music Therapy

 Announcing an exhibit on:

Cyberspace in Music Therapy

     Franklin Institute Science Museum

     Cutting Edge Gallery, Futures Center, Main Floor

    20th & The Parkway, Philadelphia, PA

    November 5 through December 13, 1992

    (Special Demonstration - December 5)

Cyberspace in Music Therapy is a novel approach to the integration of

healing with computer technology. Some of the techniques being

explored include: biofeedback, virtual reality, 3D audio and graphics,

music sampling and synthesis. Our goals: musical instruments that can

be used by people with varied backgrounds and physical skills;

methodologies for prescribing music as a therapy; integration of other

arts therapies (such as visual art and dance); bringing this

technology to people's homes and offices as well as clinical settings;

creation of a cyberspace community where individuals in remote

locations can interact in guided music therapy sessions.

The exhibits in this display include:

1. Fears -- young teenagers in a comics class at the Community School of

   Music and Arts were asked to sketch their fears. These pictures were

   digitized, processed into 3D displays, and sounds added.

2. Biofeedback -- these systems allow the heart and breathing rates, skin

   temperature and conductivity, and brain waves to be monitored and displayed

   so that changes in the body resulting from exposure to various types of

   music can be examined. Such information can be fed into expert system

   software to allow self-diagnosis and treatment.

3. Collaborationation -- this computerized kiosk is a participatory information

   piece about bands, wall-murals and why cyberspace designers should think

   about them.

4. Sound World -- this demonstrates the use of high-resolution graphics

   displays to create an interactive world where imaginary actors can be

   controlled to manipulate virtual objects in sight and sound.

A half-hour video featuring CSMT-related work at Immaculata College,

Albert Einstein Medical Center, and the University of Pennsylvania

accompanies the exhibit. Lecture/demonstrations occur at 10:00AM and

2:00PM weekdays, 2:00PM and 4:30PM weekends. A special live Music

Therapy demonstration led by Joseph Reilly of Albert Einstein will

occur on December 5 at 2:00 and 4:30.

This exhibit will be available to other sites starting in January,

1993.

Email

mercuri@gradient.cis.upenn.edu

for further information.

Rebecca Mercuri

Exhibit Coordinator