Slapshock is a performance using a Freeduino and an Arduino to create a pain sharing device. The performance, by CRCA researcher Elle Mehrmand and Calit2 researcher and Experimental Game Lab member Micha Cardenas, is an exploration of symbiotic relationality through pain, in which each performer slaps themself in turn causing the other performer to receive a painful electric shock.

The devices were created by Mehrmand and Cardenas using a Freeduino, an Aruino, piezo sensors and Transdermal Electro Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units. Mehrmand and Cardenas soldered the components together and programmed the microcontrollers to detect a slap through the piezo sensor and activate the TENS units when the slap occurs.

The performance is one of a series studies for "mixed relations", a larger set of performances using technology to explore intersubjective relationships between people as well as between people and technology. "mixed relations" will involve two performers in mixed reality environments using their bodies as instruments to produce live audio, and will take place in the Fall of 2009.

Slapshock will be performed as part of The Dark Tower, a group show of UCSD MFA candidates and recent graduates curated by Cauleen Smith. The performance will be at the Compactspace gallery during the LA Artwalk on June 11th, 2009.

Where: Compactspace
105 E 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014

When: Thursday, June 11th, 8pm

Contact: Elle Mehrmand, ellemehrmand A+ gmail [d0t) com
Micha Cardenas, mcardenas a+ ucsd d()+ edu
Compactspace, 626-676-0627

Elle Mehrmand is a performance/new media artist and musician who uses the body, electronics, video, photography, sound and installation within her works. She is the singer and trombone player of Assembly of Mazes, a music collective who create dark, electronic, middle eastern, rhythmic jazz rock. Elle is currently an MFA candidate at UCSD, and received her BFA in art photography with a minor in music at CSULB. She has shown works in Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and Tijuana. 

Micha Cardenas / dj lotu5 is a transgender artist, theorist and trouble maker. Micha holds an MFA from UCSD, an MA in Media and Communications with distinction from the European Graduate School and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Florida International University. She is a researcher at the Experimental Game Lab at the Center for Research in Computing and the Arts and at CalIT2. Her interests include the interplay of technology, gender, sex, desire and biopolitics. Micha recently joined the Lui Velazquez space in Tijuana as a curator and collective member. Her artwork has been exhibited internationally at museums, galleries, conferences, community spaces and public spaces. Micha blogs at TechnoTrannySlut.com

More information about "mixed relations" can be found at:
http://bang.calit2.net/tts/2009/05/01/mixed-relations-won-the-ucira-emerging-fields-award/

More information about The Dark Tower show at Compactspace:
http://www.compactspace.com/the-dark-tower/