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ENAKD: Exploring Emotions Through EEG and Art at Sónar+D 2024

Updated: Oct 29


The ENAKD project, a collaboration between Starlab, the artist Teo Ruffini, the composer Nina Emocional and Neuroelectrics, brings together cutting-edge EEG technology, artificial intelligence, and artistic creativity to explore the deep connection between brain activity and emotions. Presented at Sónar+D 2024, ENAKD offers a unique interactive experience that transforms participants' brainwaves into art and poetry in real time.


What is ENAKD?


ENAKD, short for Emotionally, Electronically Naked, is a groundbreaking project designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible when science and creativity come together. Using Neuroelectrics’ Enobio EEG system, ENAKD measures two key emotional parameters: Valence (pleasure to displeasure) and Arousal (alertness). These parameters are mapped onto the emotion circumplex model, which provides a deeper understanding of the participants’ emotional states.



How It Works

Participants wear the Enobio wireless EEG headset, which records their brain’s electrical activity in real-time. Starlab’s EmoWave® algorithm processes this data, translating their emotional states into emotional tags. These tags serve as the basis for a stunning visual and poetic experience:


  • Haikus: A large language model like ChatGPT uses the emotional data to generate haikus, reflecting the emotional journey of each participant in a delicate, personalized poem.


  • Real-time visuals: Artist Teo Ruffini Maiques’ AI model creates striking visualizations based on the participants' emotions, producing art that evolves as the emotional state shifts.


  • Music: Composer Nina Emocional adapts her music live to mirror participants' changing emotional landscape, creating a fully immersive multi-sensory experience.



The Science Behind ENAKD


At its heart, ENAKD is a fusion of neuroscience and technology. The Enobio EEG system captures brain activity and maps it to emotional parameters, unlocking new ways to understand human emotions. The emotional insights derived from Valence and Arousal allow for a highly personalized artistic experience, demonstrating the power of EEG technology in bridging the gap between neural activity and emotional expression.


ENAKD at Sónar+D 2024


Building on the success of last year’s showcase, ENAKD returned to Sónar+D 2024, where it offered visitors the chance to immerse themselves in their own emotions through poetry, art, and music. With the creative expertise of Teo Ruffini and Nina Emocional, this year’s installation resulted to be an even more engaging and thought-provoking journey into the mind.


Conclusion


ENAKD exemplifies the innovative spirit of Starlab and Neuroelectrics, showing how technology can deepen our understanding of human emotions while offering new forms of self-expression. The fusion of neuroscience, AI, and art in ENAKD opens up exciting possibilities for the future of neurotechnology.


Expanding the Reach of ENAKD Technology


The technology behind ENAKD has been successfully utilized in various collaborations, including work with renowned artist Refik Anadol and partnerships with leading cosmetics and fragrance companies. These collaborations aim to study participants’ emotional responses, providing valuable insights into how different stimuli affect human emotions. If you're interested in learning more about how this technology can benefit your field or industry, don't hesitate to contact Starlab for further information.


Contact us today to explore how this cutting-edge technology can enhance your research. Visit our website or reach out at info@starlab.es for further inquiries!



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