Se-Lien Chuang -
Andreas Weixler
Interlude
for
Pi and for Io
audiovisual
interactive improvisation for arco-piano and realtime computer system
Description of the work /
program notes
Fragments of memories
(produced both by human beings and by computer) generate a
synthesis of sounds and visuals. The sounds of a prepared grand piano,
performed with hairs of bows, serve as interface in an audiovisually
interactive concert that merges a sophisticated instrumental sound and
realtime computing in an amazing improvisation. While visual
images and processes are being generated during the concert, a
multi-channel granular synthesis fits together minute tonal particles
that make up the instrumental sounds into a constantly changing
acoustic stream made up of different pitches, durations and positions
in the electro-acoustic space. The musical and visual components
interact and reciprocally influence each other in order to blend into
a unique, synaesthetic, improvisational work of art.
Se-Lien Chuang: arco-piano
arco-piano is a special contemporary technique of performing the piano
with hairs of bows which gives a very sophisticated sound of the piano.
Se-Lien Chuang developed arco-piano technique to the artistic point,
where she can control polyphonic sound of the bowed piano strings and
their upcoming overtones.
The arco piano acts not only as an musical Instrument, but furthermore
as an interface for the computing system. It controlls the creation of
the visuals in realtime and its sounds will feed the granular synthesis
distributed on 8 channels. The control data of the granular sysnthesis
are linked with the visual computing, also changes of the parameter of
the visual computing effects the link of the data exchange of the
visual and the audio computing.
Andreas Weixler: multi channel
granular synthesis
by processing the instrumental sound in realtime the computer becomes a
hyper instrument played in an improvisation along with the arco-piano,
spreading its sound on a 8 channel sound system, controlling flocks of
grains, rearranging those in terms of pitch, time, order and position
in the acoustic environment.
By its improvisation of music the data of the granular treatment also
determines part of the visual computing, so the progression of music
and visuals appears in sync.
The computer
system and Max/Msp/Jitter
created by
Andreas Weixler and
Se-Lien Chuang
three Macintosh G4 Powerbooks are interacting with the players, i.e. of
the arco piano and of the electroacoustic hyper instrument, analyzing
the sounds, exchanging data between analysis, audio and video computing
to make an age-old dream of artists come true: to make music visible
and images audible.
The visual and musical components interact and exercise mutual
influence thus leading to unique synthesis of arts.
The goal of this project in computer music is to create an interface
for visual and music computing for an associated audiovisual
composition as well as to find technical and artistic solutions for the
combination of traditional instruments with high technical
computing in the terms of interactivtiy and realtime processing and
last but not least to create pure computer music.
Sponsors/Support
Interlude for Pi and for Io was released during an artist in residence
at the electronic studio of the Technical University Berlin,with
special thanks to Folkmar Hein, supported by the Province of Styria,
the Province of Upper Austria, the city of Graz in commission of the
Austrian cancelors office/ section for art (composition)
