Workshop with Daito Manebe (Part 1)

Warning!!!
The following workshop uses electric current to stimulate human muscles, it can be deadly or may have short/long term effects if use improperly. If anyone interests in performing similar experiment, please consults and works with professionals (electronic & medical). A disclaimer was signed for all participants for this workshop. A few pictures with warning, please read.

I was slightly reluctant to write about this workshop since it is potentially dangerous. Mr. Daito Manebe was a mathematic major and had worked as an engineer for Panasonic; I had seen him performed for over 15 minutes on stage and presumed he had researched into the topic and made his electronic equipment with the highest specification. The below was the output device that gave small doses of electric shock.

The device had a rotating switch in the back to control the level of current. We tried to attach the patches to our forearm to have a feel of the shock to begin with.

The pulse of the current was proportional to the sound output from the computer; sound level was controlled by a program MaxMSP; either from a pulse of fixed frequency to even a favorite tune of yours. The sound could be monitored with a headphone or a speaker.

Most people claimed the shock from playing a song hurt more. Then the patches were moved onto different facial muscles. Since facial muscles are more delicate, only a fixed frequency should be used.



Continue to Part 2