‘Outward threads’ proposes a compositional investigation by exploring musical dimensional spaces for the creation of contemporary music works. Through a practice rooted mainly in computer-assisted composition, algorithmic poetry, and electroacoustic mediums, the project investigates deterministic and heuristic creative methods, as metaphorically related to computation and intuition. By doing this, the project aims to challenge the idea of technologically mediated composition as an alienating and fully deterministic workflow, investigating at the same time the concept of intuition -often seen as a mysterious irrational knowing- as an underlying systematic, logical-associative cognitive process. Ultimately, the project seeks to develop artistic and theoretical work in which the main premise is that these two concepts -those of computation and intuition- exist intertwined in human creative cognition, and the act of artistic expression is enriched by a dialogical creative interaction between them.

Juan Sebastián Vassallo is an Argentinian composer based in Bergen, Norway. He holds a master’s degree in music perception and cognition and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Artistic Research at the University of Bergen. His current artistic research aims to explore possibilities for human-computer interaction in art creation, encompassing points of intersection between computer-assisted composition, artificial intelligence, algorithmic poetry, generative visuals, and live electronics. On the other hand, his psychological research investigates the underlying cognitive processes within the mind of a composer when creating music. In the last few years, some of his compositions have been awarded in national and international competitions in France, China, and Argentina. Some of his past artistic projects have received support from the UNESCO and Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI).