elements | response is an audio/visual performance collaboration between myself, Peter Bailey and Francois de Costerd which explores the elements through the responses of several hundred individuals to six questions:
- What do you think a tree is made up of?
- Describe outer space in as much detail as possible.
- Why is water important?
- Where do you think light comes from?
- Describe how big the earth is.
- In your mind, what are the elements? Which one is your favorite? Why?
The music and visuals were composed into a cohesive whole based on themes, ideas and specific thoughts culled from the collection of responses. The music combines the voice recordings – rhythmically, melodically and contextually – with traditional and electronic instruments. The piece is written to be performed in quadraphonic surround sound and single channel real-time video by both live musicians and several custom-programmed computers.
- Peter Bailey – guitar and electronics
- Halsey Burgund – live electronics, samplers and mallet percussion
- Francois de Costerd – live video composition
- Marissa Licata – violin
- Kelly Roberge – tenor sax and clarinet
elements | response premiered at the MIT Museum as part of the 2009 Boston Cyberarts and Cambridge Science Festivals.
Video footage by Rob Cheyne; editing by Francois de Costerd.
Audio Samples
elements l response Part I (live)
elements l response Part II (live)
elements l response Part III (live)
