October 21, 2005
Art Interactive and Non-Event Present:
The Cacophony of Life
MUSICIANS AND NON-MUSICIANS WANTED! The Cacophony of Life--by David Mandl--will be a live performance during the Glowlab: Open Lab exhibition. "Cacophony" is a musical performance based on the early computer game The Game of Life, a simple example of a living colony, with cells being "born" or "dying" based on the pattern of cells surrounding them. In this performance, musicians (or non-musicians) either play their instruments or rest based on the same rules, creating a semi-random sound performance. (This is much easier than it sounds. See below for details of how it works.)
Musicians and non-musicians are invited to participate in this performance. Please consider coming down and being a part of it, and please help spread the word to others. RSVP not necessary, but greatly appreciated: Email Dave Mandl at davem[at]@wfmu.org. An audio recording of the performance will be made for airing later in the exhibition.
HOW IT WORKS:
The performers will be arranged in a grid (5x5, 6x6, etc., depending on how many there are). We will start with a random pattern of people playing their instruments, until the conductor signals everyone to move to the next cycle (after about ten seconds). When a new cycle starts, each musician decides whether to play or not based on how many people around him/her are playing. If more than three people adjacent to you are playing during one cycle, you rest when the next cycle starts. If two people adjacent to you are playing during one cycle, you play when the next cycle starts. This will create a shifting pattern of instruments. Each cycle will last about ten seconds. A whole piece of music will last a minute or two, and then we'll start a new piece with a new starting pattern.
For some visual examples of how the original Game of Life works, see this site: (Where a cell is "on" in the game, picture a musician playing a note.)
WHAT KIND OF INSTRUMENT TO BRING:
Just about any noisemaker is welcome: saxophone, kazoo, pots and pans, violin, electric guitar (with portable amp), small drum, hand bells, harmonica. Avoid instruments that are very quiet, because they may be drowned out. Your voice is an acceptable instrument.
"The Cacophony of Life" is produced and conducted by Dave Mandl; Saturday, October 22nd, 2005. 4:00-6:00 PM. Free. Art Interactive, 130 Bishop Allen Drive, Central Square, Cambridge, MA, 617-498-0100.
Posted by jo at October 21, 2005 09:32 AM
