Reflecting on research-creation methodologies in the development of distributed applications for live performance

In this paper, we propose to report and reflect on a long- term collaboration between researchers and a musician from the improvisation scene, to design and implement a Web- based distributed system - composed of 8 Raspberry Pi nano-computers equipped with speakers and batteries con- nected together through a local WiFi network - dedicated to co-located settings and live performance. The paper first presents the different applications developed during this col- laboration. Then we propose to reflect on some of the as- pects of the collaboration that appear salient during the project and that we think have important implications both for design and for the successful implementation of research- creation methodologies. More precisely, we propose to un- fold the different socio-economical questions and constraints that we noticed during the collaboration. We examine the learning and appropriation process and analyse it in the framework of the Instrumental Genesis Theory. Finally, we reflect on how artistic practice and design considerations in- teract in the creation of a Digital Music Instrument (DMI) as a co-evolutionary process.