"When a robot plays a string with brilliant precision, it's something completely different than when a human plays. We are discovering new possibilities for musical composition and performance," says David Vrbík from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague.
Visitors to the 2nd Faculty ElectroBall, a ball held by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at CTU, saw a performance with a laser string. In addition to developing this unique musical instrument, David Vrbík is also involved in video mapping. His last public performance was video mapping on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Dejvice campus.
Even the Guinness Book of Records can not reach the laser string
The laser string consists of a beam of light which, thanks to several modern technological elements, behaves like a real string. When vibrated, it produces a sound that gradually and naturally fades away. This unique and spectacular instrument is massive in scope, yet the live experience feels delicate. A misty screen also adds to the impressive atmosphere. In its outdoor version, the string is infinitely long, making it the largest string instrument in the world. However, according to David Vrbík, it is not yet listed in the Guinness Book of Records - its length could not be measured!
The first demonstration of the laser string was worth it! “I created the string around 2008, collaborating with Ondřej Sifon Anděra at the time. It came about by chance. We were preparing a program for the Czech Presidency Ball in Brussels, and at that time we had an interesting dance group – Vladimír 518 did the scenography, I did the technology and music, cameraman Jiří Málek prepared an original light show, and dancer Petra Hauerová was the choreographer,” described David Vrbík.
"The five of us went to Brussels to adapt our work. I took the sensors that form the basis of the laser string, finished the instrument there, and demonstrated it. It was quite a success right from the start, and I've been developing this instrument ever since. I'm still trying to improve it, and now I'm happy with it," said Dr. Vrbík. Every performance that features the string is unique—people hear different music each time, and the performance also changes depending on the venue.
Last September, David Vrbík presented the string in a beautiful musical-light-technological performance called Vektroskop in the Church of St. Barbara in Kutná Hora, accompanied by singer and musician Beata Hlavenková and musicians Jan Burian and Leoš Hort. Robots developed at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague were also presented in Vektroskop. Before that, people could experience Vektroskop in the Church of St. Nicholas on Old Town Square in Prague, the Prague Planetarium, and the Archa Theater.
