Emotional Machines - Composing for Unstable Media.

Thorolf Thuestad

Emotional machines – composing for unstable media. Thorolf Thuestad In partial fulfilment of PhD in artistic research The Grieg Academy, Department of Music, Faculty of Art, Music, and Design, University of Bergen, 2021 The artistic research project Emotional machines - composing for unstable media explores how non-representational kinetic objects may afford affective and emotional responses, in particular experiences of kinship and relation between an audience and animated objects. Further possibilities for artistic expression are opened through composition and dramaturgy, in works where the animated objects perform alongside human performers and other media, such as light and sound. How may such animated non-representational physical objects be developed? How does animating the physical objects change the potential for experience of kinship and relation between audience and object? How does context modulate the potential for experience of kinship and relation between audience and animated physical object? How does the potential experience of kinship with the animated object differ for the creator of the object, and audience? These questions have been investigated through the creation of a set of animated kinetic figures. These figures have performed in a series of artistic presentations such as gallery exhibitions and stage presentations. The artistic research concludes with two complementary public artistic presentations taking place in bergen in June/July 2021; a time-based stage production at Cornerteatret and a gallery exhibition at Lydgalleriet. The presentations are considered connected and have the common title For one – for many – for all. This is an exposition of the research that presents the kinetic figures, the process of developing them, the questions they have contributed to explore, resulting artistic works (with particular emphasis on the final artistic presentations taking place in June/July 2021), the additional artists contributing to these public presentations, and a series of reflections resulting from the research. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Emotional machines – composing for unstable media Thorolf Thuestad. Denne eksposisjonen presenteres som del av gjennomføring av doktorgrad i kunstnerisk utviklingsarbeid ved Griegakademiet, Institutt for musikk, Fakultet for kunst, musikk og design, Universitetet i Bergen, 2021. Emotional machines - composing for unstable media utforsker hvordan ikke-representative kinetiske objekter kan skape affektive og emosjonelle responser hos mennesker. Spesifikt opplevelse av slektskap og relasjon mellom et publikum og animerte objekter. Det åpnes ytterligere muligheter for kunstneriske uttrykk gjennom komposisjon og dramaturgi i verk der de animerte objektene opptrer sammen med menneskelige utøvere og andre medier, som lys og lyd. Hvordan kan animerte ikke-representative fysiske objekter utvikles med dette startpunktet som inspirasjon? Hvordan endrer animasjon av de fysiske objektene potensialet for opplevelse av slektskap og relasjon mellom publikum og objekt? Hvordan modulerer konteksten de animerte objektene presenteres i potensialet for opplevelse av slektskap og relasjon? Hvordan er den potensielle opplevelsen av slektskap med det animerte objektet forskjellig for skaperen(e) av objektet, og publikum? I Emotional machines – composing for unstable media har spørsmålene har blitt undersøkt ved hjelp av en gruppe animerte kinetiske figurer. Disse figurene har opptrådt i en rekke kunstneriske sammenhenger hovedsakelig galleriutstillinger og scenepresentasjoner. Prosjektet ble avsluttet med to utfyllende offentlige kunstneriske presentasjoner som fant sted i Bergen i juni/juli 2021: En tidsbasert sceneproduksjon vist på Cornerteatret og en galleriutstilling vist på Lydgalleriet. Presentasjonene er tilknyttet hverandre og har fellestittelen For one – for many – for all. Denne eksposisjonen presenterer de kinetiske figurene, prosessen med å utvikle dem, spørsmålene de har bidratt til å utforske, resulterende kunstneriske verk (med særlig vekt på de endelige kunstneriske presentasjonene i juni/juli 2021), kunstnerne som bidro til disse offentlige presentasjonene samt en rekke refleksjonstekster drevet frem av arbeidet med prosjektet.

Alwynne Pritchard

Alwynne Pritchard is a British vocalist, composer, writer and physical performer who lives in Bergen. In her work, she most often explores relationships between musical expression and the human voice and body. Pritchard has created pieces for orchestras, ensembles and other performers internationally, and has appeared in stage productions in Norway, France, Italy, Germany and the UK. Pritchard is co-founder of the music-theatre company Neither Nor.

Pritchard is part of Procession, Nether and For one - for many - for all.

Neither Nor

Neither Nor productions is run by Thorolf Thuestad and Alwynne Pritchard. They make sound, music, theatre and installations, as well organising events. They also host an apartment for visiting artists. Neither Nor is based in Ytre Arna, Bergen, Norway. DOG/GOD and DOG/GOD II, SlettaFest 2020, Underground, The Trouble With Windmill, Stamp Club Report 1980, Hospice Lazy and For one - for many - for all are some of many projects produced by Neither Nor.

Photos: Thor Brødreskift

Jostein Gundersen

Jostein plays a large variety of recorders in a large variety of styles and settings. With ensemble Currentes he performs music from the 14th to 18th century as well as compositions written for the ensemble. “I enjoy improvising in different styles, historical and contemporary, both with Currentes and in other constellations. In recent years I have had several opportunities to contribute to staged works. I am very happy about that, as I love to collaborate with artists from other fields.” says Jostein.

Gundersen took part in For one - for many at Lydgalleriet and is part of For one - for many - for all.

Silje Grimstad

Lighting designer from Bergen. One of the founders of M12 Kultur.

Inspired by natural light and how it contrasts to artificial lighting, and how to imitate nature in an artificial space. Working a lot with shadows, reflections and contrasts of colour.

Grimstad is part of For one - for many - for all.

Caroline Eckly

Caroline Eckly was born in Paris. She has worked as a dancer for the past 23 years and since 2008 for the Norwegian contemporary dance company Carte Blanche, along with doing her own projects. She questions the role of the interpreter today and is interested in deepening an idea of a choreographic work where a conversation among artists can lead the investigation on physical qualities.

Eckly is part of For one - for many - for all.

Maria Victoria Høvring Høeg

Høvring Høeg (DK) is a scenographer, costume designer and visual artist. She is educated in fine art and scenography from KMD, Valand Academy and Norwegian Theatre Academy.

Maria Victoria's background is within sculpture, performance and textiles. She is interested in materiality and the body. The starting point for her work is often inspired by found objects and materials.

Høvring Høeg is part of For one - for many - for all.

Roar Sletteland

Roar Sletteland works in the intersection between low-level analogue electronics, performing arts and philosophy, with a certain penchant for sound.

Member of experimental opera company Ursus produksjoner.

Sletteland is part of For one - for many - for all.

Aistė Žumbakytė

Žumbakytė(Lt) is a producer operating in the independent proffessional arts field in Bergen. She works extensively with contemporary music and interdisciplinary stage projects. Žumbakytė is inspired by artists she works with and is enthusiastic to support the arts in Norway and the world with her work.

Žumbakytė is part of For one - for many - for all.

Thorolf Thuestad

Thorolf Thuestad is a sound artist, composer, sound designer, performer, sound and art technician. He works extensively with stage arts, contemporary music and sound installations. He is co-founder of the music-theatre company Neither Nor.

With this presentation he is concluding his PhD in artistic research as a research fellow at the The Grieg Academy, Department of Music, University of Bergen, Faculty of Fine Art.

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