Vesselalia

VESSELALIA is a project of interactive generative music sculptures who improvise music and light with each other and with human performers as well as listener-observers. The piece will be presented as a set of 16 sculptures.

Vesselalia is a portmaneau word I made up which combines vessel and glossolalia (so-called pressured speech). The vessel is the sculptural object and the glossolalia is the interactive aspect—notes, intervals, chords, riffs, sound effects, and other audio elements with which the sculptures improvise. 

The sculpture matrix contain a variety of algorithms. My programming allows them to “listen” to their neighbors, performers, and viewers and respond (each sculpture has two microphones in a binaural configuration, a microprocessor analyzes pitch, key, tempo, rhythm, and other musical elements).  The set-up of 16 objects can be thought of as an orchestra you walk through, hearing each instrument as you pass through the environment.

The sculptures also utilize ultrasonic sensors to react to a visitor's (or dancer's) proximity. The devices may be played like a Theremin, playing notes and changing tone with the hands, legs, and body, or the instrument can be changed by the player's distance—currently they are programmed to rapidly play a series of drums and other percussion instruments.

Vesselalia is a great framework to explore my interests in sculpture, music and sound art, and to engage in performance with various communities. I envision showing the sculptures to people of all ages who might enjoy seeing/listening to a performance as well as meeting and working with the musicians and singers who will improvise with these objects.

Please contact me if you are interested in having the exhibit/performance at your venue or facility.