L2Ork
Named as one of the top six national transdisciplinary exemplars (a2ru, 2015), and one of the top eight research projects at Virginia Tech (DCist, 2014), a contemporary intermedia ensemble Linux Laptop Orchestra (L2Ork) [pronounced as lork] mixes traditional orchestra with increasingly accessible human-computer interaction technologies for the purpose of exploring expressive power of gesture, communal interaction, discipline-agnostic environment, and the multidimensionality of arts.
L2Ork, founded by Dr. Ivica Ico Bukvic in May 2009, is part of the interdisciplinary initiative by the Virginia Tech Digital Interactive Sound & Intermedia Studio and the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology. As the world’s first Linux-based laptop orchestra incorporating extensive study of gesture and Tai Chi choreography L2Ork offers optimal infrastructure for creative research at minimal cost. By providing a seamless integration of arts and sciences it is in part designed to provide access to integrative approach to education.
UT Prosim is a foundational pillar of L2Ork. Since its inception, the initiative has helped start seven laptop orchestras in North and South Americas, many of which rely heavily on its affordable design. L2Ork's infrastructural backbone Pd-L2Ork, a visual programming environment with its unique K-12 learning module has been utilized in dozens of K-12 Maker workshops, including the 2014 Raspberry Pi Orchestra summer gifted program, and the ongoing 13-year partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of SW VA. With 400 monthly downloads , it is currently used around the world by thousands of artists, designers, researchers, and educators. In the fall 2016, the ensemble introduced World's first professional Raspberry Pi Orchestra.
In response to the 2020 pandemic, Bukvic introduced L2Ork Tweeter, its new free and open-source online platform for collaborative instrument design, ideation, improvisation, composition, rehearsal, and performance that enables perfect sync regardless the distance. Since, it has been actively nurturing Tweeter communities around the world, with Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF) located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, being the first such established community. In summer 2024 the ensemble broke the distance record by having 9 performers distributed across South Korea, US East Coast, and Argentina over 12,000 miles apart (and less than 400 miles shy of the longest possible distance between any two points on Earth) co-perform a co-created electronic dance music piece in perfect sync.
L2Ork curriculum is open to all VT students.
L2Ork ensemble is a 1-credit-hour area 6 eligible course ope to all students. The ensemble class meets in the Digital Interactive Sound & Intermedia Studio (DISIS) located in the Newman Library Tuesdays and Thursdays 330-445pm.
Join us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/L2Ork
Follow L2Ork on X: http://x.com/L2Ork
Check out our YouTube channel to hear more
Want to know more?
Ivica Ico Bukvic is happy to answer your questions.