Domestic Ubimus

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In this paper we discuss concepts and practices that point to a new field of ubiquitous music (ubimus) research centered on domestic settings.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper is to document and share a preliminary study of the use of taste as a trigger for creative decisions and a comparative study of creative music making done at home and in transitional settings.

METHODS: Groundwork in this area encompasses the design, implementation and deployment of ubimus systems. Key aspects include sonic resources and metaphors for creative action based on multimodality.

RESULTS: The results indicate that unpredictable sonic environments foster originality but may compromise the subjects’ creative performance — reducing their level of engagement and fun and the possibilities for collaboration, while increasing the cognitive demands of the activity. Home seems to furnish a positive context as long as the objective is not to increase the originality of the outcomes.

CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of taste as a scaffold for creative decisions was partially confirmed, demanding further studies. These results have implications for both the artistic aspects of sound making and the everyday usage of sound for distant socializing in domestic settings, posing renewed challenges to the ongoing STEAM initiatives.