QUANTUM FRAME
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
2019 -
2018
2018
The Quantum Frame is a mechanical installation that speculates on the future of quantum computing and what that may hold for machine intelligence and consciousness. The installation takes the form of the present day quantum computer, with a tubular central chamber, where machine learning data drives the mechanical movements of an electromagnetic structure, breathing life into the metallic framework, a ghost in the machine.
The current version of the frame is self-generative. But the artist hopes that once time-sharing of the quantum computer is open to the general public, that the installation may be able to talk with the quantum machine directly via data transfer.
This piece is currently on-going. Magnetic field experimentation and research with ferrofluid are currently in--progress.
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
2018
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
BIOHARMONIC QUARTET
2018
The Bio-harmonic Quartet is a hybrid performance system that links together several musicians and artists via a biofeedback network. This network acts as a musical interface and uses the collective data of participants’ bodily activities to generate music and soundscapes in collaboration with ML models. The work is an exploration into human-machine relationships within the context of music creation. The piece began as an exploration into BCI and ML technologies and how they might disrupt and evolve music creation, production and performance. It moves beyond the artist's earlier exploration of machine networks and human-machine interaction models to create a more complex human machine system that works in harmony towards creative expression.
The piece consists of machine learning models and basic wearable sensory systems that capture muscle movement, pulse, and BCI data. This work was commissioned by the Shanghai musician B6 (Lou Nanli) and presented at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra during the second half of the his solo concert Blossoms along-side the Shanghai Philharmonic string quartet, pianists and guitarist Wang Wenwei.
Artists: Benjamin Bacon, Vivian Xu
Performers: B6 (Lou Nanli), Wang Wenwei, Shanghai Philharmonic String Quartet
Rehearsal with B6, Wang Wenwei, Vivian Xu and the Shanghai Philharmonic (piano and string quartet)
Image of participating artists Benjamin Bacon (left), B6 (middle) and Vivian Xu (right) at the
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall taken before the performance.
Concert Poster
