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IN MEMORIAM: LEON SERGEYEVICH THEREMIN (1896-1993) Leon Theremin (Lev Termen), man of legend, inventor in 1920 of the first electromusical concert instrument, the thereminvox (also known as the theremin), died at age 96 in Moscow on 4 November 1993. The thereminvox was magical-music was "drawn" from the air by movement of the hand. Theremin combined music with light, tactile sensations and, even, odors. Even experts today are amazed that he developed and realized variants of the electromechanical television system between 1923 and 1926. Theremin performed "ether music" concerts with triumph in Europe in the 1920s. He lived and worked in the United States during the 10 years prior to World War II and broadened his range of activities. He established a studio in New York, where he investigated the synthesis of electronic music with visual images in collaboration with physicist Albert Einstein. The firm he founded produced thousands of thereminvoxes. Theremin also invented the terpsiton, an electromechanical device that produced music through movements of the entire human body. Another device provided not only sound and image but also tactile sensations transmitted from a distance [1]. He was wrongly subjected to political repression after his return to the USSR; he was first sent to a concentration camp, then to jail. When it became obvious that war was not far off, he worked while in custody at secret defense projects-he invented equipment for unmanned airplanes and radio-controlled mines. Theremin also invented an original system for intercepting transmissions from foreign embassies in 1947, while prisoner of a secret NKVD (KGB) scientific and research institute. e 19941SAST In GATEWAY wereport on significant events, including conJerences and expositions; newsoj interestingdevelopmentsin technology and science as they relate to thearts; tutorial-level discussions oj important technologies and scienceJorthe nonexpert. Wewelcome readers' suggestions Jorand contributions toJuture sections. SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY'S CONCEPTUAL DESIGNjlNFORMATION ARTS PROGRAM The Conceptual Designjlnformation Artsarea of theArt Department at San Francisco State University focuses on contemporary art explorations in non-traditional media that integrate theinformation bases, work styles and perspectives of disciplines outside the of arts-especially those involving science and technology. The program offers both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees. The program stresses the integration of intuitive processes typical of the artswith research, planning and problem-solvingstructured processes more characteristic of other disciplines. The program promotes the use of nonconventional and new media and the movement of artists into nonart contexts. Students learn concrete skills related to contemporary science and technology, such LEONARDO, Vol. 27, No.2, pp. 91-98,1994 91 Conceptual Design ... as structured problem-solving, analysis of biological systems, use of computers, telecommunications systems and interactive media, and the electronic synthesis of image, text and sound. The integration of these technologies is explored through the creation of performance and installation works. The program stresses thecritical analysisof cultural systems, language and media. Students enroll in courses at introductory , intermediate and advanced levels. At theintroductory level, two interrelated courses are offered: Conceptual Strategies I and Introduction to Technological Systems. At the intermediate level, courses are selected from thefollowing choices: Interactive Media, Conceptual Strategies, Introduction to Robotics and Electronics, Video and Sound, Art and Language in Praxis, Telecommunications inthe Arts, Exploration inWord and Image , Information Arts, and C- and Image-Processing for Artists. Atthe advanced level, students participate in a senior project course and an internship. The Master of Fine Arts program is customized in accordance with each student's needs and interests. 92 Gateway In Memoriam . . . During glasnost it became known that Theremin's tragic relations with the NKVD were established when he met Lenin in 1922 and the Communist leader recommended the use of the principles of the thereminvox for the construction of sound-alarm signalling devices, and again when Stalin recommended using Theremin's television system for monitoring state borders. In interviews during the last few years, Theremin admitted his role in carrying out specific tasks for the Soviet secret service while he lived in the United Statessupplying the Soviets with information on economic and technological topics. Theremin was instructed to gain information regarding the United States's role in the start ofWWII. Later, Theremin said he believed he caused no...