Self-reflective report on Professional Integration Activity
Hao-Teng Liu
3436950
1. Provide documentation of your PIA and describe it
What is the deliverable of your PIA?
My PIA focuses on exploring how sound, electronics, and visuals can work together to influence audience perception.
The deliverable of my PIA is an experimental performance project that combines saxophone improvisation, electronic
sound, and visual elements. The project aims to create an immersive experience where the audience can feel and
understand the relationship between sound and technology.
This work is connected to my artistic research, where I question whether “hearing” and “feeling” can become a shared
experience.
2. Provide documentation of your Pilot/Prototype and describe it
What did you test? Which question(s) did you want to answer?
In this first tryout of Beyond the Surface, I tested how sound, visuals, and performance could interact to express the
theme of digital identity and authenticity.
The main question was whether technology could enhance emotional communication instead of creating distance, and
how multimedia elements could help audiences — even those without a musical background — connect to
contemporary and experimental music.
How did you test this?
The test took place in Den Haag through a live performance featuring saxophone, percussion, electronics, and AI
visuals.
I used a microphone and an electronic system to capture my sound. Instead of focusing on exact pitch detection, I
focused on detecting sound events, such as changes in energy, attack, and texture.
The goal was to observe how live acoustic performance could merge with electronic layers and visual reactions, and
how audiences would emotionally and intellectually respond.
What are the results of your test? Which answers did you find?
Audience feedback was very positive. Many described the performance as “a wholesome and eye-catching experience,”
appreciating the combination of sound, visuals, and theatrical elements.
The improvisation felt natural and expressive. However, some feedback suggested that the piece could be longer,
allowing more time for acoustic and electronic interaction.
Others mentioned that the connection between the identity theme and the improvisation could be clearer, and that
visuals were sometimes slightly disconnected from the sound.
These results show that while the integration of acoustic, electronic, and visual elements successfully created an
emotional experience, further development is needed to improve clarity and balance.
How have the results influenced your PIA?
This tryout deeply influenced the direction of my PIA.
It reminded me that the core of my research — the combination of sound, electronics, and visuals — is not only about
technical experimentation, but also about human connection through technology.
I realized that interaction is more important than complexity. Instead of focusing on detailed musical information such
as pitch, I will focus more on how the system reacts to sound events and gestures.
In the next phase, I will explore how interactive systems and real-time visuals can respond more clearly and
meaningfully to my playing.
I will also experiment with audience participation, for example through light or smartphone interaction, to create a more
immersive shared experience.
This experience reaffirmed my goal to make contemporary and experimental music more accessible and emotionally
engaging, even for audiences without a musical background.
3. Describe your goals and the values your PIA has created
Short-term goals
My short-term goal was to create a working prototype performance and test it in a live situation.
I also aimed to collect audience feedback and observe how people react to the combination of sound, electronics, and
visuals.
Long-term goals
My long-term goal is to develop a performance practice where saxophone and electronic systems can interact as equal
partners in real time.
I also aim to create performances that are accessible and meaningful, allowing audiences without musical training to
connect with the work.
Value created by the PIA
This PIA creates artistic value by combining improvisation, technology, and audience perception.
It also creates social value by making experimental music more approachable and engaging for a wider audience.
4. Reflect on the deliverable of your PIA
What is good about it?
One strong point of the project is the integration of sound, visuals, and performance into a unified experience.
The interaction between improvisation and electronics creates a dynamic and flexible structure.
What could be improved?
The system is not yet stable enough, and sometimes the interaction is not clear.
The connection between sound and visuals needs to be stronger and more precise.
How did you collect feedback?
I collected feedback from audience members, classmates, and teachers after the performance.
What did you learn from this feedback?
I learned that clarity is very important. Even if the concept is strong, the audience needs clear connections between
sound, visuals, and meaning.
This feedback helped me understand how to better communicate my ideas.
5. Reflect on the process
Roles in the process
In this project, I took multiple roles, including performer, researcher, and collaborator.
I also worked with others to develop the electronic and visual elements.
Which roles fit you best?
I feel most comfortable as a performer and researcher, because I can explore ideas directly through sound and
experimentation.
What did you learn?
I learned how to work across disciplines, combining music, technology, and performance.
I also learned that communication and collaboration are very important in this kind of project.
What would you do differently next time?
Next time, I would start testing earlier and develop the system step by step.
I would also involve audience feedback earlier in the process.