The Octopus is a non-digital old/new interface for musical expression that celebrates and re-examines two historically significant technologies, film and analog modular synthesis, which are experiencing a revival of popularity. The installation consists of an 8mm film projector and a sculptural arrangement of light sensors positioned on the projection screen. The light sensors are connected to an analog modular synthesizer and supply control voltages to modify the settings of the modular synthesizer patch. Original handmade 8mm films are projected onto the screen and create a live synaesthetic audio-visual composition. Light levels of the projected moving image affect the resistance of the sensors, these are converted to control voltages using a voltage divider circuit and connected to the inputs of an analog modular synthesizer. Original handmade 8mm films have been created specifically as visual scores for playing the Octopus. These include stop motion films of traditional kimono textiles, visual music composed of dynamic moire patterns from the everyday world, and hand-painted abstract expressionist direct films. Michael Lyons is a Professor of Image Arts and Sciences at Ritsumeikan University. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Physics from McGill University, and an MSc and PhD both in Physics from the University of British Columbia. Michael has worked in computational neuroscience, pattern recognition, cognitive science, human-computer interaction, and interactive media arts. He was a Research Fellow at the California Institute of Technology (1992-1993), and a Lecturer and Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California (1994-1996). From 1996 to 2007 he was a Senior Research Scientist at the Advanced Telecommunications Research International Labs in Kyoto, Japan. He joined the new College of Image Arts and Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, as Professor in 2007. Michael co-founded the New Interfaces for the Musical Expression conference and continues as a member of the NIME steering committee. Haruka Mitani is an independent filmmaker based in Kyoto. She studied Image Arts and Science at Ritsumeikan University. Her handmade 8mm film “Metamorphose” was one of 22 works selected from over 400 submissions for screening at the 2013 Image Form Festival and was nominated for an award. “Metamorphose” was subsequently shown at cinemas across Japan. Her films were also selected for screening at the 8th Montreal Underground Film Festival. Her video art was recently included in the “Lost Spaces” exhibition at the 3F Project Room in Kyoto and she is a regular contributor to live experimental art performances in Kyoto. Palle Dahlstedt is a composer, improviser and researcher from Stockholm, since 1994 living in Göteborg, Sweden. With composition degrees from the Academies of Malmö and Göteborg, he is currently the main lecturer in electronic music composition at the Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg, and artistic director of the the Lindblad Studios. Also, he is Docent/Associate professor in computer-aided creativity, performing extensive research in novel performance and improvisation techniques for electronic music, and in computer models of artistic creative processes. Since 1990, he has been interested in Japanese traditional arts and music, and Noh in particular, and he has collaborated extensively with Japanese actors, dancers and musicians. He is also active as improvising pianist.