An interactive musical installation

Tempaural is an interactive installation which allows users to create loop-based music by reconfiguring block formations. The core of the installation consists of 10 blocks and a base. By stacking these blocks on the base, as well as on top of other blocks, the user creates music (even if they have no experience with musical theory or instruments). Tempaural provokes people to frame their experience from the point of view of a child, creating both physical and musical structures with the most basic of childhood toys: the building block.

The musical possibilites Tempaural allows are not constrained by its creators; it is entirely possible for the user to create unique compositions with some creative interaction. The element of chance is allowed to have some input on the final result of every structure, though subtle rules are in place which encourage musical results. Users do not have to pay attention or understand how their interaction produces results, they simply have to play with the blocks to generate a musical and visual response, though if desired they may intentionally construct specific soundscapes.

Tempaural reacts organically with the user's interaction. While in a neutral state, with no blocks on top of the base, ambient sounds can be heard emanating from the installation. Once a user begins interacting with the work by placing a block on top of the base, the ambient sounds gradually fade away and are replaced by city ambience. Cars are heard passing by and human voices can be heard, subtly layered on top of the music generated by the blocks themselves. This change reflects the shifting of states from neutral to man-made construction, and is reflected visually by the structures created by the blocks.

Although the project is effectively working, as of this writing, it is still a work-in-progress.