aXiØ (Alternative Expressive Input Øbject)

This unique-looking MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) controller was built by Brad Cariou as part of his thesis at the University of Calgary in 1993. The aXiØ is played with both hands; the joystick is played with the left hand, the keyboard with the right, and the button array rests on the performer's shoulder. The aXiØ was used by David Eagle, a Canadian musician and composer, for performances worldwide including: 'one thousand curves, ten thousand colours', a collaborative multimedia concert combining live music with computer-generated images.