Embodied/Encoded: A Study of Presence in Digital Music
(2024)
author(s): Robert Seaback
published in: Norwegian Academy of Music
Presence in Embodied/Encoded is concerned with the physical and embodied dimensions of musicking in relation to digital-informational representations of such phenomena. I explore presence through practices of recording, creative coding, audio production, and spatial electronic music composition. Of particular interest is the link between presence and the sensual/corporeal aspects of sound production and listening. Research in embodied music cognition and extended reality provide a foundation for this type of meaning formation.
In the context of immersive electronic music, I suggest that physical presence – a sense of ‘being somewhere’—emerges not just from images/representations of place, but from peripheral aspects of the (embodied) acoustic experience such as spatial proximity and distance, diffuseness, resonance and reverberation, noise floor, etc. Consequently, musical meaning in “Embodied/Encoded” moves away from the symbolic dimension of electronic sounds toward meaning as an outcome of embodied interaction with the environment. The concept of presence can also apply to ‘mixed’ music, or combinations of acoustic and electronic sources, in which virtual presence is complicated by real bodies and spaces.
Digital technology renders sound a flexible, malleable entity—a ‘flickering’ signifier to borrow from Hayles—capable of reconfiguring presence in creative ways. The dance between encoded and embodied dimensions inspires and informs this artistic research. Through a body of immersive music and multimedia documentation, I unpack connections between presence and its digital abstractions.
ANTICIPATION - Performance, art and design
(2024)
author(s): Sergio Patricio
published in: Research Catalogue
My performance art practice as an artist and researcher has become crucial to test ideas that theoretically catch my interest. For example, years ago I was convinced that performance art compositions were a miracle because of the Chaos theory in physics, where organized chaos was so complex that it was too difficult to perceive the origin, development and end of each action in time-space here and now. Within the context of an event of actions and the probabilities, time stretches out in many directions, making the observable constellation of actions more than chaotic, but four-dimensional almost, in a way that the past, present and future of the actions become one: Anticipation. Therefore, Anticipation in actions becomes crucial to understanding that action could fail even in a prediction, as an action goal is scored to be done, performers in present time-space, live simultaneously in the past present and future of the action, the tension between the action-goal is the vibration, but the anticipation is all the probabilities merge with the past and future of this action. Multidimensional perception requires a performer to perform within an action to improve training and work out through several performance preparations. An example is how to cross at constant speed a mass of crowded people and not change direction. Anticipation switches your present to be merged with your past and future. Such a concept is how I improve daily in my performance lab with the participants of my performance laboratory.
Afro Cuban drumming: the drummers of Chucho Valdes
(2024)
author(s): Marc Gómez Masdeu
published in: Codarts
This research wants to be a guide of my personal and artistic process of how I have developed and improved my skills in Afro-Cuban music and Afro-Cuban Jazz through Enrique Pla, Rodney Barreto, and Dafnis Prieto. And how I have integrated this into my background to help me grow as an artist.
The topic that has motivated me to do this research is my interest in Cuban music and especially in Irakere. Many Cuban drummers are worthy of in-depth study, but I have chosen these three because all three have played or currently play with Chucho Valdes.
Talking about Enrique Pla undoubtedly leads you to the founding of Irakere; Rodney Barreto played in Irakere when they reunited again and Dafnis Prieto is his current drummer.
The strategy that I followed is:
Strategy:
Case study and experiment of the exercises with other students.
Methodology:
Triangulation (analysis/transcription, feedback/reflection, interview).
Experiment with the drummer’s feedback.
The results of this research can be seen in the following categories:
Personal: Results that have enriched me and my way of playing.
Audiences: Elements that may interest the reader and the musician who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of Afro-Cuban music, in particular, its drummers and more specifically those associated with Chucho Valdes
On a personal level, the most important thing has been this two-year process of studying these great musicians and everything that I have acquired musically, technically, and the transcriptions I made during the research.
Readers of this research can appreciate the interviews I have conducted with these three musicians and other related Cuban drummers, the exercises I have created to develop these aspects of the music and repertoire in particular, and the transcriptions of compings and solos that I have made of them.
I have learned many new skills and tips from these drummers and from listening more deeply to this music and this has enriched me a lot as a musician.
Looking back to the results of this research, one of the important conclusions that I reached is that any drummer who wishes to gain an understanding of this music has to listen to and study the tradition of the Afro-Cuban percussion, all the styles, and the periods, and of course open mind and don’t be a slave of it since you also have to listen to the evolution of styles.
Sustainability in Performing Arts Production
(2024)
author(s): Johanna Garpe, Camilla Damkjaer, Markus Granqvist, Gunilla Pettersson Thafvelin, Anna Ljungqvist, Anders Larsson, Synne Behrndt, Mihra Lindblom, Anja Susa, Anders Aare, Anders Duus, Jon Refsdal Moe
published in: Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
The purpose of this project is to explore how we can minimize the climate impact through the way we plan, produce, and support performing arts productions.
The overarching research question was: How can we continue to create relevant and innovative performing arts with a smaller climate impact?
The faculty in performing arts at Stockholm University of the Arts worked with Harry Martinson's Aniara from their various disciplines.
Att föreställa Aniara
(2024)
author(s): Gunilla Pettersson Thafvelin
published in: Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH)
Expositionen är en del av forskningsprojektet "Scenkonstproduktion med reducerad klimatpåverkan".
At Cross Purposes, reflections on constellations
(2024)
author(s): Janne Schipper
connected to: Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
published in: Research Catalogue
When gazing at the night sky together with someone, it can be challenging to guide the other person’s attention to a specific star or cluster. To completely follow the alignment of the eyes and the tip of the index finger to the object in mind would require us to climb into the other, to see the world through their eyes. How do we know if we have the same star in mind as the person next to us? Are we talking at cross-purposes?
At Cross Purposes, reflections on constellations, comprises three texts by different authors on language, narrative, sign and signification, as well as poetry and anxiety in art.
