Music For Film at the Courtyard (Installation)

[by Shahrokh Yadegari, Sound Design Assistance: Splash Yang]

Music For Film at the Courtyard is a sonic installation composed of multiple layers which are mixed through a finite state machine to create an ever changing soundscape. The piece fuses Brian Eno’s concepts of ambient and process based music, with distinct classically structured musical elements. Similar to ambient music, one can be aware of the piece as background, or stop and intently listen. The sonic colors cover the wide spectrum of various types of electronic synthesis, rhythm sections, instrumental, operatic, and natural sounds. Multiple spatialization techniques are used to create an immersive and constantly changing environment.

Some of electronic sounds are synthesized using custom algorithms written by the author based on non-linear dynamics whose parameters are controlled live during the processions of the piece and other electronic sounds are synthesized using the “Recursive Granular Synthesis” (RGS) method based on the Lindenmeyer’s rewriting algorithm, known as the L-system. With this system simple structures and transformation rules are used to generate complex and formally engaging results. Both synthetic and acoustic percussions define the rhythm and energy of the piece, while the instrumental and operatic layers insinuate strong narrative and visual suggestions.

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For information of Purposes about the history of the model of the piece:

The system used for this installation was used and developed heavily for Ann Hamilton’s Stylus

Ann Hamilton/Pulitzer Prize Arts

http://yadegari.org/projects/stylus/

Here are some relevant reviews about that piece which can be found in the above page as well.:

Ryan, Dinah, ”Ann Hamilton ST. Louis”, Art Papers Magazine, July 2011.

Michael Salcman, ”ANN HAMILTON AT THE PULITZER FOUNDATION, ST. LOUIS”, Michael Salcman s Blog, Jan 2011.

Jo-Anne Green, ”"stylus” by Ann Hamilton”, Network Performance Blog, Nov 22, 2010.

Jessica Baran, ”St. Louis Art Capsules”, Riverfront Times, Nov 4, 2010.