Strings—Sounds from Human Collective Intelligence

Strings is a musical installation that explores, through an evaluation of the cooperative functions of collective intelligence, human interaction and transforms it into a multisensory experience. Equipped with biometric sensors, Strings captures in real time the physiological variations within a group of people, translating psycho-emotional shifts into a distinctive sound and visual design. During the performance, the audience actively contributes to generating sounds. Some members of the audience are invited to wear specific biometric sensors. A performer guides them so they can actively take part in the experience. This interaction generates a data flow that translates participants’ emotional state changes into real‑time sound textures. A musician handles live electronics, processing and modulating the generated sounds. The performance is enriched by an improvising solo musician, such as a guitarist or saxophonist, interacting with the evolving sound design. This dialogue between the audience, live electronics, and soloists forms an ever‑evolving, self‑regenerating sound cycle that responds to the collective emotions. Emotional engagement is amplified by real‑time coloured projections that respond to psycho‑emotional variations, enhancing the collective sense of connection. This research contributes to collective intelligence by providing an unexplored framework for integrating biometric data into artistic expression. Our investigation aims to demonstrate biofeedback’s potential in fostering collaborative, emotion‑driven interaction, bridging psychology, music technology, and human‑computer interaction. By engaging both the scientific community and artists, this work opens new avenues for interdisciplinary research and application in interactive media, emotion‑aware technologies, and collective creativity.