Artspace

Overview

Autonomous improvisation v1 was a video anthology of some of Sydney's most infamous solo musicians and performers, analysed a range of performance approaches from burlesque to sound art. Recorded individually in the same studio configuration and performing only to the camera, the performances were then reconfigured in the gallery. A pianola was linked to a network of computers programmed to orchestrate playback sequences, creating an ever-changing composition via a three-channel audio-visual projection. Through non-determinist recomposition, this work asked if it is possible for improvisation to be programmed, or if this is simply a paradoxical endeavour. More significantly, Autonomous improvisation v1 asked us to consider what is imposed on human autonomy in an increasingly computer-controlled society.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.