The Game of Life Foundation
The Game of Life Foundation was founded on september 13th 1999.
The Game of Life Foundation has the objective to organise projects in the field of spatial reproduction of electronic music.
With our programs we bring into the limelight a diversity of high-quality electronic music.
We offer composers (in the broadest sense of the word) a chance to work with our Wave Field Synthesis system, which is fully mobile (the only mobile WFS system in the world). With it we offer listeners an experience that, even with current surround sound systems, is impossible to experience at home.
We are closely involved in the proces of creation, production and programming and, whenever possible, we help venues with audience development.
How it started
The name of The Game of Life Foundation comes from a project by Arthur Sauer which was organised by Erwin Roebroeks.
For this project an 8-channel 3D sound system was designed and an inflatable tent was built in the shape of an igloo. Because of this the project could take place on a wide range of different locations. Therefore, the motto was: ‘the stage is coming to you’. Through its charisma our mobile venue was easily approachable, which led to a diverse (multicultural) audience.
The next step was building our own (mobile) WFS system.
Wave Field Synthesis (WFS)
With our particular WFS system it is possible to create an unique acoustical setting. Owing to its mobility and flexibilty, our system can be set up anywhere.
In 2004 we set off for the Fraunhofer Institute in Ilmenau with several composers to listen to WFS. Everybody was convinced of the spatial rendering of the system. But, we were also convinced that it could be done better and cheaper. That’s why it was decided to build a WFS system ourselves. Wouter Snoei developed the software, Raviv Ganchrow signed up for the design and construction of the speakers and Jan Trützschler programmed the synchronization between the computers. We were free to use the anechoic chamber of the Delft University of Technology including technical assistance. After measurements by the Delft University of Technology our system was proven to fulfill all quality requirements needed for such a system. Because of the fact that our software is open source, everybody can adapt the software at will. By now students at the Institute of Sonology are programming new extensions for the system.
In november 2006 our system had its premiere with the series ‘THE 192 Loudspeaker Experience (Focussed Sound in Sonic Space)’. As a result of the large audience we attracted, everytime extra concerts were given to let all the visitors in.
In the meantime, from all sides, composers, programming directors and institutes were interested in working with the system.
At the moment, The Game of Life Foundation is subsidized by the Dutch Fund for the Performing Arts (NFPK+) in order to finance our activities.
