2.0 Methodological framework
2.1 Artistic Research
One of the earliest references for Artistic Research is Christopher Frayling’s distinction between research into art, research through art and research for art (Frayling, 1993/1994). Frayling states that research into art is understood as theoretical research. Research for art as technical development work in materials and tools. In research through art, it is the artists distinctive experience and reflection that is communicated.
Henk Borgdorff writes about three important aspects that are present when conducting artistic research through the art.
The experimentation, meaning that the research unfolds in artistic practice. This suggests that the objective of the experimentation is to convey content, rather than test something. The involvement of persons performing the research is another important aspect. And the third aspect Borgdorff describes, is the analysis and interpretation of the research findings (Borgdorff, H., Peters, P. & T. Pinch, 2020, p.4).
This element of analysis is important, and it articulates the research. The distinction between the artwork and the analysis/reflection might imply that the investigating element of the research lies in the written analysis and interpretation of the findings. Here Borgdorff presents the idea that in artistic research, theory and practice are intertwined.
“If we acknowledge the agency of material practices and things, and if we stress the importance of studio-based, practice-based methods, and if we furthermore acknowledge that cognition is embodied, embedded, and enacted in material practices, then we should not hesitate to conclude that the reasoning is also located in those material practices” (Borgdorff, H., Peters, P. & T. Pinch, 2020, p.4).
In this research I will attempt to answer research questions presented above through artistic practice and reflection based on the practice and theory from the field.
For this research I used Research Catalouge as a tool for creating multimedia exposition/web page. This will give a clearer way of navigating through the research. The reason for publishing this thesis as a web page is the intertwinement of sound, video, and text (Borgdorff, 2020; Haaland, 2020)
In chapter 3.0 Celium, I used this combination of sound and text. I believe that the artistic product in form of a concert recording in combination with rehearsal recordings, supplemented with written reflection and theory will answer my research questions.
2.2 My artistic background
This research is conducted through my own perspective as a bandleader, drummer, and artist. To answer the research questions and give context to the reflection part I believe it is relevant to give a review of my artistic background and pinpoint the elements that influenced my playing style and artistic values.
As a teenager I would spend a lot of time in my basement behind my drumkit, figuring out how I can create the sounds that I felt sounded like something I would hear on a Drum and Bass or techno track. Since the early years of my drumming career, I would intuitively gravitate to playing rhythms reminding of rhythms found in electronic music.
In High School I got interested in Jazz-music and started to practice jazz-drumming. Later I continued to explore new music. One of the things I got interested in at the time was the fusion of jazz music and electronica. The polish duo Skalpel and their releases; “Skalpel” (Skalpel,2004), “Konfusion” (Skalpel,2005) and “Transit” (Skalpel, 2014) introduced me to mixing acoustic and electronic sounds in a way that resonated with me. This directly connects to my band Celium and this research. Another artist that influenced my playing style and approach to music was Jojo Mayer and his band NERVE.
During my years as music student at University of Agder, I discovered Krautrock and bands like NEU and CAN. These bands introduced me to repetitive and minimalistic grooves.
I also discovered afrobeat music and legendary drummer Tony Allen which was a big influence my playing style. At the same time, my interest for electronic music got bigger and I continued to explore new genres and artists.
Other influential artists and bands I would like to mention; Four Tet, Battles and Fela Kuti.
Drummers; Zach Danziger, Erland Dahlen, Questlove.