Psyte #1
Posted in: Current Speculations on January 31, 2010
In general this project is about the failure of abstract, rationally conceived systems to generate expected results. This score is an attempt on a musical level to ground these systems, making their objects and limits sensible to active users and participants.
The score takes as its starting point a series of systems commonly used for identifying place: Longitude, latitude, dimensions of an architectural structure, time of sunrise and sunset, average temperature etc. Though their goal is to specifically locate a place based on its particular qualities and attributes these systems also have the effect of departicularizing and rendering abstract the places that they identify.
These systems are inverted and combined with one another to generate a series of equations which determine the timing and character of the musical events which will occur when the piece is performed. Though the exact length of the piece is determined by the institution or space hosting the performance, it is intended to last anywhere from one week to several months.
The equations are completed and the score finished when the particular attributes of the performance space are inserted into the system and a new logistics of space is generated. The implementation of these logistics refers to the type of the office or factory, where the presence and movement of workers and producers is carefully orchestrated.
Psyte #1 was written for a room in Haus 4 of the Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany and was performed on January 29, 2010. The music was performed using four synchronized CD players. Large format foldable version of the score available below.