• ENKI - Experiment 1
    Technical overview & installation specifications.

    Method
    The user wears headphones and special Light frames (used to expose the eyes to controlled bursts of light). Sensor electrodes placed at the wrist, allow the fish to interact with the human body as an 'electrical image'. This is the the term we use when we talk about the way Electrogenic fish 'see' the world.



    -ENKI interface
    Interfaced directly with the electrogenic fish, using electrodes, the electrical fields from the fish are conducted directly to your body. Simultaneously - your bio-electrical field will be transmitted back to the fish. This creates a hardwired physical electrical connection with the fish.
    These electrical fields or Electric Organ Discharge (EOD) from the fish, are also sent to a computer, where audio analysis can take place using MAX MSP, and in some cases feed back can be sent to the fish.

    ENKI connects two fish remotely, by electronic connections. The fish create a continuous sine wave type EOD. When the fish meet (or connect) they naturally begin to modulate these frequencies; As it is impossible for them both to operate at the same frequency, the fish begin to negotiate a new operating frequency, communicating with small modulations called chirps. Eventually the fish begin to make two different frequencies; creating wave interference, (a beating' effect).
    These 'Binaural beats', frequencies or tones, are believed to have psychological and physiological effects. ENKI interface induces this behavior in order that we can effect the human brain using these specific frequencies.

    The nature of that frequency and its effect on your brain, is in the control of the fish.
    This electrical activity is amplified directly and heard as sound via head phones, to give the binaural effect. It is also used to trigger stroboscopic pulses of light. The result is an immersive audio visual environment, of rhythmical stimulus, generated directly by the 'electrogenic' activity of the fish.

    Human feed back and interaction; Cross species communication.
    ENKI can convert the continuous wave like EOD from knife fish into pulse form, and vis versa. Like wise, aspects of human physiological responses are interfaced with ENKI; in order that a 'communication' may eventually be achieved with the fish.
    Measurement & observation
    To measure the human effects an EEG monitor or neuro-graphic interface is used. In theory through analyzing the frequencies generated by the fish we should see a synchronous relationship in the brain-wave data. This however is notoriously difficult to interoperate. As well as the graphics data obtained, the behavior and particular chirping activity of the fish must be taken into account.
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    Technical Rider

    Live stock / Biological materials (required)

    • Aquarium(s)
    Demonstrations require one or two tropical aquariums; Suggested Models are the Biorb 60L, these are easy to set up and maintain, wires and cable are safe and easy to conceal safely.
    Aquariums should be set up at least a week before demonstration.

    • 2 Black-Ghost Knife fish.
    These are commonly available electrogenic fish.
    Fish should be sourced at lest 1 month before demo (stocks of these fish should be confirmed with suppliers prior to event

    Equipment (required)
    • iMac
    • 2 x 17 inch TFT monitor (connected to our Laptops)
    • Speakers and Amplifier (for localized quality sound output)
    • Table 2x1m + Black Cloth (for coverage)
    Installation requirements
    Seating and environment.
    • 2 identical comfortable seats with head rests -
    • Quiet space with subdued lighting.
    •
    Equipment (supplied)
    Antony Hall - Artist / interface design
    • ENKI software application (supplied)
    • MAC OSX + MAX/MASP runtime

    ENKI hardware (supplied)
    • Light-frame driver + LIGHT FRAMES 12v
    • EOD electrode sensor pack + Head phones
    • Bio-feed back link
    • Pre amplifier
    Gregory Byatt - Treatment and neuro-graphics
    • IBVA Neuro-graphics system (supplied)

    USE & participation
    To use ENKI the bio feed back link must be attached to one finger, then put the head phones on followed by light frames. Volume and light intensity can be adjusted to taste. The effects work best when using it for more than 10 minuets.
    Health Warnings and Safety
    As with anything using flashing (stroboscopic lights ) people must be warned in advance before using the devices. Gregory Byatt - Treatment and neuro-graphics collaborator on this project has extensive experience of using such equipment in treatment.
    ENKI should be supervised at all times.
    Supervisors should be trained in basic fish care and ENKI use.
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    Antony Hall 2008
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    www.enkitechnology.info
    office@enkitechnology.info
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