# Contrafactum - ICMC 2024 — An AR music experience

> AR virtual sound installation exploring war data and destruction. (iPhone/iPad app by Stewart Blackwood.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/contrafactum-icmc-2024/id6504776855 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Stewart Blackwood](https://appshunter.io/developer/1572893074)
- Category: Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 192 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2024-06-30
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/contrafactum-icmc-2024/id6504776855/reviews.md

## What is Contrafactum?

Contrafactum is a virtual sound installation created for ICMC 2024 by Steven Leffue, Stewart Blackwood and Nicholas Drashner.  

Inspired by Qi Mengjie's piece Echoes from woodblocks at Peking Opera, Contrafactum is a site-specific, multi-channel, virtual installation synthesized in Pure Data and programmed in Unity.

Using data from American wars abroad over the last 20 years, Contrafactum serves as a lens through which to grapple with the scope of destruction, and a space from which to consider the origins and effects of war.  A “contrafactum” in choral music is the substitution of one text for another without substantial change to the music. Similarly, this piece keeps the original idea of sampling limited sources to produce washes of sound and rhythmic gestures while substituting a new expression/topic of examination.

## Key features

- Augmented reality experience
- Virtual sound installation
- Site-specific design
- Multi-channel audio
- Data-driven sound synthesis
- Exploration of war themes


## Frequently asked questions about Contrafactum

### What is Contrafactum's main purpose?

Contrafactum is a virtual sound installation designed to be experienced through augmented reality. It uses data from American wars to create a sonic exploration of destruction and conflict.

### What inspired Contrafactum?

The app is inspired by Qi Mengjie's piece 'Echoes from woodblocks at Peking Opera.' It adapts the concept of sampling and substitution from choral music to a new topic of examination.

### What technology is used to create Contrafactum?

Contrafactum is synthesized in Pure Data and programmed in Unity, utilizing augmented reality to present a multi-channel virtual installation.

### What devices does Contrafactum support?

Contrafactum is supported on iPhone and iPod devices.

### Is Contrafactum suitable for all ages?

Contrafactum has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger audiences as well as adults.

### How often is Contrafactum updated?

Contrafactum was last updated on June 30, 2024, with version 1.0. Future updates will depend on the developer's plans.

### Does Contrafactum have ads?

No, Contrafactum does not contain advertisements. It is a free application without any ad interruptions.

### Can I purchase additional content for Contrafactum?

Contrafactum is a free application and does not offer any in-app purchases or additional content to buy.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0 — 2024-06-30

No release notes.

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## More apps by Stewart Blackwood

- [200 Acres](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/200-acres/id1671363220)
- [59 Acres](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/59-acres/id6471509846)

All apps by Stewart Blackwood: https://appshunter.io/developer/1572893074

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*