Why Create a Mobile Percussion Experiment?

The "drum circle" activity, participation, and effect on the audience is essential in qualifying the Mobile Percussion Experiment as a social architecture.  This experiment utilizes open, unused space, creating activity and social interaction that may not otherwise exist in the space.  Concerning the art world, this project provides an alternative view of what can be considered "art".  We observed many onlookers congregating around the drum circle, watching as if it were not only a musical interaction but a performance as well.  Cognitively, the act of collaborative drumming in itself provides useful information on how people cooperate with one another, and also of how our minds can coordinate beats.  The experiment provides answers to how the dynamics of a drum circle, the people involved, and types of instruments affect the final outcome.

The need is clear: the UCSD community needs activities and social situations that encourage students to interact on more than just an academic level.  The Sun God Lawn was the first area of intervention:

This space is used for school events a few times a year.  Otherwise, the lawn is predominantly unused.  Students walk across the lawn without stopping to observe the artwork (SunGod), hastily trying to get to class on time.  The Mobile Percussion Experiment is meant to distract students from the normal routine and engage them in something creative and interactive.

Originally, we believed that students would see the drums set up with drum sticks in an open space, be curious, and consider playing the make-shift instruments.  As the development of the experiment continued, we decided that example drummers were needed so others could follow their lead.  So, we then hypothesized that, after we participated as an example, others would follow in our lead, ask to join our circle, and play with us.  We did not know if we would be banished from the space, or if we would have to move, but the option was always open to us.  We also believed that if the drum circle became more regular, people would start bringing their own instruments.  People will inevitably be drawn to the sound and congregate around us, either as curious onlookers or to just enjoy the experience and good energy of the situation.