Snakeskin in the Wild: A Multi-Sensor Framework for Performance Art: A Case Study in Multimodal Sensor Synchronization

This paper presents a lightweight software framework for synchronizing heterogeneous, wearable biometric devices during live performance. Developed within the five?year interdisciplinary project Neurolive, a research collaboration that brings artists, scientists and audiences together to investigate ''liveness,'' the framework enables multiple EEG (Electroencephalogram) headsets, eye?tracking glasses, and other sensors to stream in real time over a unified clock. This version of the system was built for Neurolive's third performance commission, ∼ snakeskin in the wild ∼∗created by Dog Kennel Hill Project (artists Ben Ash, Heni Hale and Rachel Lopez de la Nieta). Here are some creative interactions that emerged from this collaboration: (1) a stage?adapted P300 routine, (2) a spatialized EEG sonification sound?scape, and (3) audio cues to section the performance. We describe the concept, technical architecture, and artistic motivations, highlighting how the design prioritizes reliability, performer mobility, and network scalability inside a mid-sized performance venue. Field observations reveal practical challenges - setting up the EEG to stream via LSL, calibration drift - and the tactics adopted to maintain a ''seamless'' aesthetic. We conclude with lessons learned and recommendations for creators seeking to incorporate large?scale biosensing into immersive performance.