Exposition

Cripping Virtuosity: Cultivating Virtuosity from Disability through Music Technology (2024)

Molly Joyce
open exposition

About this exposition

What is the sound of disability? What is the sound of a body that defies and resists normative standards? And further, is disability an instrument and, ultimately, virtuosity itself? For me, these have been everlasting questions. I acquired a disability at the age of seven from a car accident that impaired my left hand. Following the accident, I transitioned from various musical instruments to find one I could adapt to. More recently, this has led to engaging with various music technologies that fit my body. Specifically, I am searching for an instrument that fits rather than resists my body and signals my disability as an asset rather than a deficit in searching for my own virtuosity. Therefore, this article details my interest in reimagining virtuosity through the intersection of disability and digital music technology. I will describe my experience with the MUGIC gestural device (developed by Mari Kimura) and preliminary results from experimenting with the MUGIC. I will include background on the crux of virtuosity and the usefulness of mapping for reimagining virtuosity, as well as musical results and concluding thoughts regarding virtuosity, music technology, and disability. Lastly, I will argue that “cripping” virtuosity involves a widening understanding of what virtuosity can signify, realize, and magnify, cultivating what is curious, authentic, and at the core of art-making -- a fundamental self-expression beyond comparison and not easily replicated and a virtuosity true to oneself.
typeresearch exposition
keywordsvirtuosity, disability, music technology
date29/04/2024
published07/06/2024
last modified07/06/2024
statuspublished
share statusprivate
affiliationUniversity of Virginia
copyright2024
licenseCC BY-NC-ND
languageEnglish
urlhttps://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/2765289/2765290
doihttps://doi.org/10.22501/hub.2765289
published inHUB - Journal of Research in Art, Design and Society
portal issue2. HUB Issue #2 / Spring 2024 / Varia


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2765351 August 6, 1999 Max Patch (1) 2023 All rights reserved
2765355 August 6, 1999 Max Patch (1) 2023 All rights reserved
2765367 August 6, 1999 Max Patch (2) 2023 All rights reserved
2765387 August 9, 1999 Max Patch (1) 2023 All rights reserved
2765389 August 9, 1999 Max Patch (2) 2023 All rights reserved
2765470 August 6, 1999 2023 All rights reserved

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