ALMAT @ impuls - Workshop 2019 by Hanns Holger Rutz

Algorithms that Matter (ALMAT) focuses on the experimentation with algorithms and their embedding in sound works. Rather than conceiving algorithms as established building blocks or the a priori formalisation of a compositional idea, we look at them as performing entities whose consequences are irreducible to models. Algorithms “matter” in the sense that matter and meaning cannot be distinguished, neither can artists and their computational tools. Algorithms actively produce spaces and temporalities which become entangled with their physical embeddings. In 2019, we created a workshop within the impuls . 11th International Ensemble and Composers Academy for Contemporary Music, taking place in the Museum of Perception (MUWA) Graz, February 11–21, 2019. It focused on the development of a site-specific sound installation. The installation explored the interactions of algorithmic and physical spaces and their dynamic and mutable properties. Participants worked on the premise that spaces and our perception of them change depending on presence, absence, the movement of visitors, the time of the day, the rhythm of the surroundings as well as the sonic and algorithmic interventions we bring into them. The workshop sought to attract computer music practitioners, sound artists and composers by offering a platform for exchange and reflection about their personal approaches towards algorithmic experimentation. The participants were invited to develop their various approaches within an atmosphere of collaboration, where special emphasis was given to the translation of environmental data (such as sensor input from the surroundings and visitors) through computer music systems developed and assembled by the participants and tutors. The workshop was held with technical infrastructure provided by the Institute for Electronic Music and Acoustics (IEM), including an 48-channel sound system and a selection of sensors. The workshop ALMAT was developed by David Pirrò and Hanns Holger Rutz (both IEM Graz) and was held together with the special support by Robin Minard.

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meta: true
date: Feb-2019
event: impuls academy
place: muwa
keywords: [exhibition, sound art]
author: Andreas Trenkwalder
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1. Parasitic distortions, allowing the parasite to live on or in another organism. The host causes it some harm. It happily adapts structurally to this way of life.
  
  {origin: program notes, keywords: [_, parasite, organisms, adaptation]}

Andreas Trenkwalder

Project proposal

I don’t have fixed ideas yet, but some thoughts which might be interesting to me…
Sound input by microphones placed all over the venue. The input material is processed realtime, either granulated, feed back, distorted or all of it at the same time. Sound is controlled by analyzed data of the microphones (amplitude, pitch spectral flatness, ect.) or of the data of other participants via OSC. In terms of output the sound / spatialisation of the sound, I’d find it interesting to use all of the speakers, not only the four which are provided for all of the participants, but not all at the same time but maybe depending on sensors or amplitude of mic-input for example. I’m also open and I would like to collaborate with other participants, to improve ideas together and to exchange.

{origin: project proposal, function: intention, keywords: [_, sound processing, sound synthesis, microphone, speakers, space]}

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