Exploring a Taxonomy of Interaction in Interactive Sonification Systems

This paper explores a variety of existing interactive sonification systems in the context of interactive sound art. In design of interactive sonification from technological standpoint, the stress is put on studying the usability and functionality of the systems. We explore the focus towards creative aspects of interaction in both technology development and sound creation stages. In some artistic sonifications, the control is in the hand of the technology creators, in some others in the hand of the artists, and sometimes in the hand of the performers or the audience members. The numerous relations and interactions between performers, composers, technologists, data domain scientists, environment and audiences make it difficult to classify the complex phenomenon of interactive sonification. Some challenges in such systems are the ownership of technical and aesthetic components, balancing engagement and interaction among different stakeholders (domain scientist, designer, composer, spectator, etc.) and encouraging audience engagement.