Squeaky Wheel Media Arts Workshops: Circuit Bending

From the Squeaky Wheel Catalog:

Circuit bending is a process whose aim is to unlock the chaos and serendipity hidden within every electronic device. A person with no prior electronics knowledge or experience can wring tremendous subversive satisfaction from transforming a pedestrian toy or appliance into a personalized experimental device. Circuit bending differs from hardware hacking in that benders approach the circuit or object with no clear expectations as to the specific result of their modifications, proceeding like explorers into uncharted territories.

With just a few simple tools and basic electronic components, a circuit bender can turn a discarded toy electronic keyboard into an aleatoric music box capable of emitting uncategorizable and unforeseen screams, hisses and rumbles. An outmoded video game can automatically render melted, glitched programming resembling Saturday morning cartoons on Saturn. A ‘talking’ toy or game can be coaxed into revealing arcane knowledge intoned in previously unheard electronic languages.

The workshop will be a hands-on exploration of bending techniques focusing on the repurposing of scavenged, yard-sold, and thrift-shopped children’s toys. Almost everything made for children in the last ten years has a sound-producing chip inside it - even books make noise these days! Participants will be encouraged to bring their own sacrificial items for modification, and will certainly finish the workshop as the proud owner of at least one new experimental musical instrument. Access to tools will be provided, as will enough electronic supplies to get the participants started. Supplemental lectures, written material, and internet resources will be available to guide the newly-baptized benders in their personal bending explorations beyond the workshop.

Saturdays, 2-5pm, 1/30-2/20. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main Street. Instructor: Bill Sack. Cost: $95 non=members/ $80 members.
Register online here.