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Authors:

 Rouvelle, James. Sound installation

Title:

 Na Idea that Moves

Keywords:

 Sound Space, Spontaneous Organization, Unexpected, Inter-activity, Inter-dependent Sensitivity

Abstract:

 An Idea that Moves is a sensitive sound installation which will use pedestrian activity influenced by the subtle introduction of information and captured on video in real time as its principle formative element. Sound files created by me and loaded into a computer will be combined and transformed via a Video to MIDI conversion program similar to STEIM'S BigEye.
A public space will be chosen: public vestibule, train station, Courtyard, waiting area, etc… On the walls of the public space small color coded cards will be placed which will contain various directions, i.e., "Please move to the next red card". The instructions will be devised so that a variety of actions, each resulting in some sort of movement through the space, will be possible from the same card. A digital video camera will be mounted so that the entire room will be seen from above. The images will be fed into a computer containing a program which will convert elements of the image into MIDI messages which will in turn effect the soundtrack being played into the space via four loud-speakers.
As the patterns of pedestrian movement and density within the space change, so will the music. What is of particular interest to me are the changes which will occur as individuals gain information and begin to interact with the space via messages on the wall and how this purposeful yet useless individual activity will begin to transform the general pedestrian flow of the space, causing it to change as more and more people become aware of a process going on around them and interact with it. The gaining of information, transference of knowledge - either directly or indirectly - and the resulting patterns of organization and decay within the space as reflected in the sound should provide the opportunity for a sound composition which continually opens out and whose form is determined by process not duration.
As some participants come to understand that their movements are effecting changes in the soundtrack of the space their will to follow the written instructions will probably change as they decide to move about on their own in order to discover what they can about the relationship between their movements, the movements of others and the music. Their experience of the pedestrian space will become trans-formative, with willingness to consider and interact with the unexpected within a group as the chief element.
How I plan to accomplish this technically is fairly simple. I will use a digital video camera hooked into a PowerMac which will be running a program similar to BigEye by STEIM. I will have a 4 gigabyte hard drive which will contain various Sound Files which will be played together in order to form the entire composition. The sound from the computer will be routed out to a sound system set up in the space. It has occurred to me that if a web site is running the image and sound could be ported directly on-line and viewed via shockwave - just an idea.
Rouvelle, James. JRouvelle@aol.com Music Technology, Bloomingdale School of Music, New York, RECENT COMMISSIONS/Works Theoretically Yours, Multimedia work in collaboration with John Roach. Long term project begun, November '98, NYC. Sound Installation for Gallery Au Base, W. 14th St., NYC. Fall'98. Informatiques, sound Installation for Transdisciplinary Art Festival at: NoMoore, 334 W. Broadway, NYC. Beginning August 29, '98 Well in Potentia (electroacoustic) in collaboration with Environmental artist Welles Emerson for No Name Exhibitions at the Soap Factory Gallery, Minneapolis, Mn. '98. Three room installation. September 26 - October 28'98. Pageturner (electroacoustic) in collaboration with Sculptor/Media Artist John Roach. Performance piece featuring live electronics,video and machinery. Club XVI, New York City with radio broadcast on WKCR, New York City '98. Gera Indeces, Electroacoustic work with Peter Nelson, Bass. Ulrike Rudiger, Dir. Kunstsammlung Gera, Germany. 1997. Site specific work with various media. First performance 11 December,'97. Kinetaestasis, flute and piano for Ashildur Haraldsdottir, Flutist. Paris, France. 1997 Itinctorus, trumpet, voice, tape for Mary Hastings, Trumpet. New York, NY. 1997 Tryptich Decollage, for Parlor For Svin, Stockholm, Sweden. 1996 Chamber Concerto, West Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, Riitta Poutanen, cond. Helsinki, Finland. 1995. Symphony, Skidmore College Orchestra, Anthony Holland, cond. Saratoga,Springs, NY. 1994 Nocturne for Strings, Chamber Orchestra Bothnia, Stockholm, Sweden. 1994 Interludes, Detroit Chamber Winds. Detroit, MI. 1992. Atlan, Alexander Miller and Ensemble. New York, NY. 1992 Five Movements for Wind Quintet, Satori Wind Quintet. New York. 1992 Electronic Music for Dance, Loyce Houlton/Minnesota Dance Theatre. Minneapolis, Mn. 1991 Trombone Concerto, Pertti Hostikka, Principle Trombone, Finnish Radio Symphony,Helsinki, Finland.1991. Sinfonium, Y. S. Symphony, Helsinki, Finland. Michael Adelson, cond. 1990 Grants and Awards Support Grant, Soap Factory Gallery, Minneapolis, Mn. November '98. Center for Experimental Television, with John Roach in preparation for Pageturner Video. New York. 1997 Meet the Composer, Grant 1997 ComposersCollaborative Inc., Grant 1997 Guest Composer in Residence Skidmore College, Fall 1993. Guest Composer in Residence, Pitea Festspelen, Pitea, Sweden. Summer 1994. Meet the Composer Grant 1992 USIA/Arts America Cultural Specialist, Finland and U.K. 1991. Milhaud Scholarship to Aspen Music Festival, '87 ASCAP/Aspen Prize in Composition '86 Skidmore College, Periclean Award '85 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Music Technology, Bloomingdale School of Music, New York, New York. 1995 - Presently. Designed and implemented course in both history and the practical application of Computer/Electronic Music for gifted High School students from New York City. A part of the MAP(Music Access Project) program. Connecticut College, New London, Ct. Spring semester '98. Visiting Instructor for Music Survey, Music Technology, Music Theory. Composition/Theory,School of Music, Classes ranging from Theory I to Private lessons in Tonal Theory as well as private composition students.