Syndyn Artistic Sports Game
Porto and São Paulo, 2011

Syndyn= syn (syn - from Greek "together") + dyn (dynamic from Greek dynamikos, "powerful". Concept that merges aesthetics, physical activity and entertainment. This concept transforms any existing sport in to an instrument for artistic expression. From football to climbing, table tennis or windsurfing, with an appropriate customized set up, sport can become aesthetically expanded and empowered by Syndyn.

Intermedia concept and design by André Rangel.

Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada While practicing a vigorous physical activity, the players control all audiovisual events that occur in the space/time of the game. They perform a live show and simultaneously produce a database of light drawn images. The space where the event takes place is colored with light which is controlled by players movements. Their rackets and arms are decorated with electro luminescent wire and the shuttlecock (speeder) with a bright LED, providing vivid dynamic scenic effects.

Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada In the beginning of each game, users choose on an iPod ™ touch device a soundscape associated with visuals and colors for the ambience lighting system. Syndyn rackets are equipped with sensors that detect each hit of the speeder. A radio transmitter system broadcasts the sensors data to the central processing unit (computer). The hits on the rackets are accompanied by synchronous real-time synthesized sounds, by an instant change in the ambience light color according to the previous players choices and by real time generated visuals.

Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada

In addition to this real-time audiovisual response, players can also take a visual memory of their game. A long exposure photographic camera covers the playing area. This camera registers the traces that represent the trajectories and movements of the lighting speeder, the lighting racquets and the lighting arms. The resulting drawings of light, can be automatically printed with photographic quality paper and offer to players. These images are automatically stored in a database that feeds a web photo gallery.

Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada Literally the possibility of drawing with this game, gives Syndyn its original and innovative character: being simultaneously an artistic, sports, and entertainment event that merges aesthetics, physical activity, technology and entertainment.

Space requirements

Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada

Indoor or outdoor space with a minimum area of 16 m x 8 m. The colored illumination can be applied to any natural or urban environment. This 3 images were grabbed in the internet and are just a reference to exemplify different possibilities.

Art direction by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel
Brainstorming team constituted by André Rangel, Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada
Design and Production (Sound, Visuals, Interface, Software, Hardware) by André Rangel
Photography by Luis Maruta
Video camera operator Rui Carvalhais assisted by Marcelo Graff and Nelson Leão
Players: André Dias, Paulo Coelho, Escola de Ténis da Quinta da Conceição, Francisca Bartoli, Afonso Martinho.
Special thanks to Dr. Álvaro Barbosa, Dr. Paulo Ferreira Lopes, Ernesto Costa, Alberto Pires, Manuel Rui, João Souto, Simon Rangel, Antero Ferreira, Paulo Teixeira, Filipe Valpereiro, Mark Humel, Jana Brader, Paulo Megre, Carla Megre, Ana Rangel, Sílvia Rangel, Emanuel Macedo.

Partners

Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada
Project by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando AlçadaProject by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel and Fernando Alçada