TRAMJAM V.04 - TOKYO RUSHHOUR
by Mumbai Streaming Attack

Workshop: Tama Art Universoty, November 12 - 16, 2007
Performance: 9001 Sakuragi-cho November 17, 2007

A project of dorkbotswiss international 

TRAMJAM V.04 - TOKYO RUSHHOUR 

TRAMJAM RUSHHOUR is a multi-track-multi-driver-multi-jammer sonic performance. 
Tram as network of a city -  while tracking en route sound collage of a city, its routing and schedule underwrite a symphonic score that is further processed by the gathered tramjammers. TRAMJAM RUSHHOUR renders a temporal city on the move - from tramlines’ electric mechanism to further explore sonic/social connections, linking public performance with network streams.

In collaboration with Dorkbot Swiss and Dorkbot Tokyo, Mumbai Streaming Attack brings to Tokyo TRAMJAM RUSHHOUR. Tokyo Toden, the defunct tram network of Tokyo was commenced in 1903 and boasted 41 routes with 213 kilometers of track at its peak during the 1960’s. Affectionately called  "Chin-Chin Densha", streetcars of Tokyo was once “legs of Tokyo pedestrians”, serving its citizens riding up and down the main boulevards and small streets. Today, the only remaining Arakawa line runs between Minowabashi and Waseda stations.

TRAMJAM TOKYO RUSHHOUR plans to relaunch and rewire Tokyo tramlines for its rush hour jamming and streaming. Based on the Toden tram map of the 1960’s, TRAMJAM TOKYO jumpstarts the once-existing tramlines for a re-scheduled routing that traverses past and future. The tramlines are elevated above the current metro underground, shuttling through Tokyo city skylines of today, recollecting a past and reimagining a future. 

TRAMJAM TOKYO RUSHHOUR plans its one week workshop hosted by Tama Art University’s Department of Information Design and presents a final rushhour public performance during Dorkbot Tokyo. We make an open call to recruit sound artists for TOKYO TRAMJAM. Each participating soundist upon signing on claims a tramline as its driver/jammer. Each soundist is to compose /collect /process her /his urban acoustics associated to the personal /social /living /historical references her/his chosen tramline travels. For Tokyo tramjam, while we do base the tram routes on the 1960’s tram map, we ask each soundist to freely choose a year – (from 1903 to  2030) for her/his chosen tram route to run on researched or own drafted tramstop schedule that allows 20 seconds for each stop.

For the performance, a PD (pure data) patch maps the rigidly observed tram schedules during the six hour period and arranges a data score/system for multiple sound input and output. As programmed, the tram doors at all routes are to open for 20 seconds at each stop, the multi tram/ track sonic expression as scheduled are intermittently released during these tram stops. Chin chin densha, as the tram comes to a stop, the syncopated sonic remix sweeps the city who listens. Collectively the tramjammers orchestrate TRAMJAM TOKYO RUSHHOUR, performed live and streamed on the web.

-> Working Wiki

TRAMJAM V.04 - TOKYO RUSHHOUR is supported by
Dorkbot Tokyo
Dorkbot Swiss
Tama Art University, Department of Information Design
Departement of New Media, University of the Arts Zurich 

Funding provided by
Bundesamt für Kultur (BAK)
Pro Helvetia
Praesidialdepartement der Stadt Zuerich