3 research outputs found
Musicians (Don't) Play Algorithms. Or: What makes a musical performance
Our private perception of listening to an individualized playlist during a jog is very different from the interaction we might experience at a live concert. We do realize that music is not necessarily a performing art, such as dancing or theater, while our demands regarding musical performances are conflicting: We expect perfect sound quality and the thrill of the immediate. We want the artist to overwhelm us with her virtuosity and we want her to struggle, just like a human. We want to engage with the musical expression and rely on visual and physical cues. Considering that the ears of todayâs listeners are used to technologically mediated music, in this paper I explore the unique qualities of musical live performances and examine if our conception allows for new mechatronic inventions, in particular robotic musicians, to participate in this art form. Some of Godlovitchâs main thoughts expounded in his work on âmusical performanceâ [11] serve as a reference and starting point for this investigation. His concept of âpersonalismâ, which deprives computer-/program-based musical performances from expressive potential and creative accomplishment is an issue that I want to challenge by pointing out new approaches arising from a reflective discourse on technology, embodiment and expression. The enquiry conducted illustrates, how in reasoning about machine performers and algorithmic realization of music, we also examine the perceptual, physical and social aspects of human musicianship, reconceptualizing our understanding of a musical live performance
On _Knowing and Seeing: Groundwork for a New Empiricism_
This is a discussion note on Michael Ayersâ Knowing and Seeing. Groundwork for a New Empiricism
Editors' Preface. Book Symposium on Ayersâ Knowing and Seeing
Editors' preface to the book symposium on Michael Ayers' Knowing and Seeing. Groundwork for a New Empiricism (OUP 2019)