Intersymmetric_NNNB_BEK by Rian Treanor
Published
Rian Treanor continues developing the Intersymmetric project – a unique multiplayer drum machine that people can play together in real time over the internet, built in cooperation with Mark Fell. For the symposium “The Only Lasting Truth is Change”, Treanor convenes a workshop exploring new forms of sound synthesis and algorithmic pattern making and leads a collaborative remote live performance with materials developed during the workshop.
Workshop
Time: 9–10 November
Presentation and live performance
Time: 12 November at 17:30
Venue: Østre, Østre Skostredet 3
Streaming: https://vimeo.com/event/2528179
Realised in cooperation with Nyege Nyege, and continuing the series started in Bergen by BEK and Ekko in 2021, this workshop is developed for and with people with different levels of learning difficulties. It will result in a new group performance, taking place at Østre, Bergen on Saturday 12 November, 17:30.
The Intersymmetric series began in 2020 when both Fell and Treanor were working on alternatives to live performance. Their early experiments led to a more expansive project, with the ambition of enabling non-experts to take part in group performances. Placing an emphasis on accessibility, computer programmer James Bradbury was brought in to develop a web interface for the system. Patterns are shared in real-time so, if a user in another city or country makes a change, this change instantly happens on everyone’s computer. Try it here: www.intersymmetric.xyz/nnnb
During the workshop in Bergen, using custom-made musical devices, the participants will be playing together with complex musical systems, but in an inviting and dynamic way without the need for specialised knowledge to get started. They will cooperate on creating procedures for performances, similar to the rules in a game, and developing meaningful, non-verbal and surprising forms of group interaction.
RIAN TREANOR
Rian Treanor re-imagines the intersection of club culture, experimental art and computer music, presenting a compelling musical world of fractured and interlocking components. Having left a vivid impression with a string of EPs on The Death of Rave & Warp sub-label Arcola, his latest LPs “ATAXIA” and “File Under UK Metaplasm” for Planet Mu in 2020 established him as both a disruptive and essential new voice in British underground club music. Using the programming language Max/MSP, Treanor develops bespoke software to explore extended rhythmic techniques and algorithmic processes, building devices that enable spontaneous pattern modulation within various collaborations, workshops, live performances and installations.
NYEGE NYEGE
Founded in 2014 in Uganda, Nyege Nyege Festival was set up as an incubator to develop emerging talents from the East African region. Since then, Nyege Studios and its affiliated labels Hakuna Kulala and Nyege Nyege Tapes have released over 35 albums, toured over 300 international shows and received multiple awards and accolades for its cutting edge music and music festival. With key partnerships in place, Nyege Nyege now offers artists a 360 degrees label and artist management services, including an in-house booking agency.
The workshop, presentation, and performance are organised by BEK, Ekko and Østre for the symposium “The Only Lasting Truth is Change”.
THE ONLY LASTING TRUTH IS CHANGE
The Only Lasting Truth is Change is an expanded symposium investigating current and future configurations of art, technology, nature and power, and taking place in Bergen and online 9-13 November 2022.
The symposium is organised by BEK with support from Norsk kulturråd, Fritt Ord, Bergen kommune and Royal Norwegian Embassy in Beijing, and in cooperation with Northing, Hordaland kunstsenter, Ekko, Østre, Nuts And Bolts, and Entrée. Graphic design by Vera Gomes.
Image credits: 1, 5-6) Photos from workshop at Østre for the 2021 symposium: Åse Løvgren. 2-4) Interface screenshot, photo from workshop at Focal Point Gallery and portrait all courtesy of Rian Treanor.