Morphogen’s interest lies in the translation of musical content to a visual level. Additional focus lies on how the morphing of content through different stages can point the designer to new formal approaches. From different experiments, a system resulted how individual bars of the notation can be depicted in space and object. This system in turn initiated the construction of a two-dimensional design grid. Against the background of this grid, we designed the book and website for the exhibition.
Morphogen – Die Formwerdung des Akustischen: Die Arbeit Morphogen interessiert das Übersetzen von musikalischem Inhalt auf eine visuelle Ebene. Auch, wie das Morphen von Inhalt durch verschiedene Stadien den Gestalter auf neue formelle Ansätze bringen kann. Aus Experimenten resultierte hier ein System, wie einzelne Takte von Notation im Raum und Objekt dargestellt werden können. Dieses System gab wiederum Anstoß für ein zweidimensionales Gestaltungsraster. Am Beispiel von Steve Reichs Stück Music for 18 Musicians entstanden Visualisierungen wie eine Serie kleiner Gifs, 3D gedruckte Kristalle, die einzelne Takte Form werden lassen, eine partizipative Performance und ein digitales Spiel, das auf ästhetische Weise die Beschaffenheit der Musikstruktur zu ergründen versucht. Vor dem Hintergrund des musikalischen Gestaltungsrasters haben wir auch das Layout für Buch und Webseite zur Ausstellung entworfen. Mehr zu diesem Projekt auf www.morphogen.ch
Two of 18 3D-printed crystals, ultra frosted Acrylic.
Each crystal symbolises one bar of "Music for 18 Musicians, Section 3b" by Steve Reich.
Each crystal symbolises one bar of "Music for 18 Musicians, Section 3b" by Steve Reich.
BREATH, PERFORMANCE
«The musicians inhale deeply and repeat certain notes as long as the breath carries them comfortably.»
– Steve Reich
– Steve Reich
To «Music for 18 Musicians, Section 4», a lung visualised with the M418M grid is projected on the (resonance) body. The frequencies of breathing are picked at random, but lie within the specified parameters for the score.
http://www.morphogen.ch/atmung.mov
«EVERYBODY IS A PARTICIPANT»
This quote by Steve Reich on how music is meant to function is at the same time the title for this interactive application. Just like, for lack of a conductor, each musician can be a variable in the performance of the piece, each visitor can influence the development of patterns on the base grid for «Music of 18 Musicians, Section 6» on the Touchscreen. For example, he can compose an initial pattern and set it in motion by pressing the start button and then watch how his pattern is generated according to the rules of «Conway’s Game of Life». There are so many possibilities that most likely the same sequence will never occur twice and every time it will take a different amount of time until the process dies. Or he can influence an already moving pattern and thereby affect its development. The touch of the triangular fields on the touchscreen equals the indication for a change in pattern of the vibraphone by short preludes.
http://www.morphogen.ch/pattern.mov
