Live brain-computer performance
Tele Empathy
Two minds, two EEG caps, one shared picture: inter-brain synchronisation turned into light, music and particles in real time.
- Year
- 2024
- Where
- Riga, Latvia — in an empty swimming pool
- Our role
- EEG signal processing, real-time visuals, light and stage systems
- Discipline
- Neuro-art / Stage
Tele Empathy is a performance about empathetic telepathy. Two performers wear EEG electrode caps; the moments when their brains fall into step — inter-brain synchronisation — become coloured light inside a 3D brain in augmented reality, particles swirling across the pool floor, and music played back to the room.
01Making a hidden dynamic visible
High levels of inter-brain synchronisation appear during social interaction, especially when people make music or art together. We developed the technical solutions to decode several streams of complex EEG data and map them to visual and musical output while the performance is happening.
The result is a neurofeedback loop in the form of art: two connected minds drive the picture and the sound, and the audience watches shared thought and emotion that is normally invisible.
02How it is built
Raw EEG is captured and analysed in Python: z-score analysis of frequency-band shapes, compared across all electrodes and between the two brains. Lab Streaming Layer shares raw and processed data across a local network, so several machines stay in sync.
All visuals run in Unreal Engine 5. The particles on the pool floor are Niagara systems guided by custom vector fields designed in Houdini, whirling into the centre — each colour a frequency band. A ZED stereo camera tracks the performers for the AR layer, while OSC, MIDI and Art-Net DMX drive Ableton Live, Logic Pro and the stage lights.
03Together with 27 performers
Created with composer and researcher Jachin Pousson (BCMI design, music) and 27 performance artists, the piece is also an experiment: what triggers synchronisation, and how far can it be pushed?
Tools & tech
- 2 × EEG
- Python · z-score IBS
- Lab Streaming Layer
- Unreal Engine 5 · Niagara
- Houdini vector fields
- ZED stereo camera
- OSC · MIDI
- Art-Net DMX
- Ableton Live · Logic Pro
Photos 12
Credits
- BCMI design, music
- Jachin Pousson
- EEG signal processing, visuals
- SIA SPACE — Mārtiņš Dāboliņš
- Vocal ensemble
- “IMERA”
- Performers
- Anna Segliņa, Elza Jančuka, Rūta Krūskopa, Alise Elizabete Ipatova, Evelīna Zariņa, Adele Atlāce, Toms Baldonis, Alise Jaunkalne, Amēlija Luīze Lepse, Estere Lutce, Enija Pastva, Adrija Plūme, Elza Riekstiņa, Patrīcija Sokolovska, Dr. Agnese Dāvidsone, Lāsma Brūvere, Līva Rēzija Vanaga, Kerija Mugina, Denīze Ozola-Kumeliņa, Frīda, Braiens Brauķis, Lāsma Bērziņa, Ernests Ozoliņš, Annija Kate Balode, Elīza Zvirbule, Kate Zvārgule, Estere Bāliņa, Anna Paula Gruzdiņa, Sigita Skrabe, Melānija Fimbauere, Lizete Bērziņa, Loreta Šperliņa-Priedīte, Ieva Freimane-Mihailova, Liene Brokāne, Samirs Laurs, Tomass Alksnītis, Andris Taurītis, Skarleta Kalniņa, Amēlija Eglīte, Lote Mincāne, Kate Jursone, Kristiāna Putniņa, Toms Treimanis, Rūdolfs Segliņš, Jurģis Segliņš, Adrians Gerasimovs, Niks Judenkovs, Elīza Petruseviča, Artūrs Eglītis, Elija Stolere
Imagine this at your event.
Every project on this page started as a conversation.
Start a project