Jacob Roufa
Hypnocade is a playable interactive video synthesizer and glitch box in an arcade cabinet that combines familiar controls – joysticks and buttons – to move shapes, transform colors, and create interactive kaleidoscopic visuals.
Hypnocade is centered around a unique video synthesizer device known as the Hypno, created by Sleepy Circuits. This was the very first piece of video art equipment that I ever acquired, marking the beginning of my journey into an exciting and novel art form. It provided me with the creative freedom to experiment and explore visual expression in ways I had never previously imagined. Now, five years later, I have fully conceptualized myself as an artist and routinely work with tools and technologies that I once thought were beyond my reach or even nonexistent. Much of this growth and exploration can be attributed to this device and the profound inspiration it sparked within me. When I initially received the Hypno, my initial intention was simply to join my friend’s band and provide visual accompaniment during their performances. However, through the immersive process of engaging deeply with this medium, I gradually came to understand that what I was creating was, in fact, genuine "art."
