poperbu

Jordi Sala Serra (aka Poperbu), 1979, Mataró (Barcelona), is a computer network engineer and artist.

Dream Project: Bitxo (2024)
Open Bitxo
Collect Bitxo

Previous Works
s o r o l l s [🎧]
personam_data [🎧]
SETNAS
GATiGOS
M4LF0 [🎧]

BIO

Member of MobilityLab.net and researcher/hacker/maker, his work revolves around open technologies, both hardware and software, and how to relate them to each other.

The last two years he has focused on generative art (visual and sound). He has developed and participated in several projects, having used different types of data (from Twitter tweets to electroencephalographic signals) to treat them, analyze them, in some cases applying Machine Learning and/or Artificial Intelligence techniques to in order to make a visual and/or sound representation of it.

Some of the technologies he works with most often: Pure Data, Arduino, Raspberry-Pi, Processing, MAXMSP, analog and digital synthesizers, javascript, python, Chuck, audacity, R and C#.

Dream Project: Bitxo (2024)

"Bitxo" (bug in Catalan) is a generative work of art that combines visual and audio elements to provide an immersive and impactful experience. This piece is a personal creation that explores and represents the way a mental illness, in this particular case an addiction, can affect all aspects of a life.

Visual Aspects: The visual part of "Bitxo" is composed of dynamic patterns and changing colors that evolve unpredictably, reflecting the chaotic and uncontrolled nature of an addiction. The shapes and colors seem to be in constant motion, creating a sense of unease and confusion. The use of light and shadow helps create stark contrasts that symbolize the emotional ups and downs associated with this condition. All visuals are generated in real-time using p5.js technology, so no experience is the same, underscoring the unpredictability of living with an addiction.

Sound Aspects: The sound component of "Bitxo" is based on generative sounds that evolve together with the visuals. The sounds can range from soft, harmonious tones to shrill, dissonant noises, creating a soundtrack that reflects the inner turmoil and emotional conflict of a person struggling with addiction. There is no pre-rendered or pre-recorded sound; the entire soundscape is generated in real time using Pure Data and WebPd technologies. Sound patterns are synchronized with the visuals, increasing immersion and providing an auditory representation of the visual experience.

Interactivity and modalities: The work "Bitxo" has two modes of reproduction. In the fully automatic and autonomous mode, the work is generated and evolves without external intervention, highlighting the unpredictability and self-sufficiency of the creative process. In the interactive mode, the viewer can control different aspects of the work (life) and the chilli by means of a MIDI device (Korg NanoKontrol and NanoKontrol2), as well as by keyboard and/or touch screen. This interactivity allows the viewer to influence the visual and sound evolution, representing the attempt to control and manage an addiction.

Personal message: "Bitxo" is a deeply personal work that wants to communicate how a mental illness, in this case an addiction, can infiltrate and affect all aspects of a life. The piece shows how this condition can distort perception, alter emotions and unbalance everyday life. It is an artistic representation of the constant struggle and effort to maintain control in the face of a destabilizing force. With "Bitxo", the artist seeks not only to express his own experience, but also to generate empathy and understanding towards those in similar situations, offering a window into the inner world of a person affected by addiction.

↓ Click on the image below to reproduce the artwork ↓

What is Responsive Art to poperbu?

For years, I have been immersed in the world of digital art, participating in research projects, installations and other forms of artistic expression. In many of these projects, without knowing it, he was already applying principles of generative art. Generative art, as I understand and practice it, is a creative process in which I use algorithms and autonomous systems to generate works that evolve and transform in real time.

During a period of my life, due to personal reasons such as family, time and work responsibilities, I had to put aside these artistic projects. Still, the passion for generative art never completely disappeared. With the emergence of new platforms and communities, especially fxhash, I got hooked on creating generative art projects again.

I don't just do visual art; most of my works are both visual and sound. This combination allows me to create multi-sensory experiences where the visual and sound elements complement and reinforce each other. The visual patterns sync with the soundscapes, creating total immersion in the generative world I've created.

In each project, I seek to create an experience that is not only visually and sonically engaging, but also reflects the complexity and beauty of autonomously evolving systems. Generative art allows me to explore new forms of expression, where works are not simply static final products, but living processes that change and grow before the viewer's eyes and ears.

With the resurgence of my interest in generative art, I have found renewed inspiration and a space to connect with other creators and explore together the endless possibilities this art form offers.