Tadej Droljc: Laser graffiti

During the workshop, we’ll learn how to program and use a laser projector. The focus will be on using this DIY approach, based on controlling the laser with audio signals, for light graffiti or outdoor artistic interventions. You’ll be able to try them out yourself and project your creations in public spaces.

In the theoretical part of the workshop, we’ll first get familiar with laser practices on outdoor spaces (from artistic installations and activist graffiti to mapping and movable screens) and various (both hardware and software) approaches with an emphasis on freeware and open source solutions. Afterwards, we’ll present the equipment for controlling lasers with audio signals and the application BeamShaper, which was created especially for the needs of the workshop in the Max programming environment. BeamShaper allows us to project and process vector graphics (text, logotypes, etc.) and freehand drawings. Because it is based on drawing with audio signals, everything that we see, we can also hear.

The practical part of the workshop will include programming the laser, preparing the material in the applications BeamShaper and Inkscape and projecting the results with a laser projector. We’ll create different modules in BeamShaper for designing and processing visual material according to your creative desires. Then in a guerrilla action using a van and lasers, we’ll project our finished creations on public spaces.