COMPOSITIONS FOR INVOLUNTARY STRINGS
Compositions for Involuntary Strings explores the application of electric muscle stimulation (EMS) to musical composition and performance. MIDI compositions created by the artist are used to trigger custom built EMS devices which send electrical impulses to performers’ muscles. These impulses generate specific involuntary movements, causing the performers to ‘play’ their instruments.
Expanding the potential of the human body beyond conscious control, the use of EMS in this context enables experimentation with complex rhythmic structures and precision phasing which a musician may be unable to play of their own volition. The interface also enables performers in an ensemble to play in rhythmic unison without any external cues or obvious tempo.
While seemingly counterintuitive, the removal of a performer’s agency creates expanded opportunities for musical expression– the performer can achieve physical tasks outside their volition; the composer can explore rhythmic structures that take advantage of this.
As the performer wrestles with the demands the performance, they engage in a strange but not totally unfamiliar struggle, redrawing the map in terms of where agency does and does not occur in performance and, in so doing, creating a poignantly distorted reflection of a negotiation that we recognize as our own.
Michaela Davies
Untitled in Gm for involuntary String Quartet (2012). Performed at Musicircus, John Cage Centenary Celebration, Sydney Opera House (2012).
Involuntary players: Michael Bridges (violin I), Reuben Alexander (violin II), Michaela Davies (cello) Lea Simpson (viola)
Compositions for Involuntary Strings. Radio National broadcast of performance at ABC Studios (Sydney) for ISEA2013
Post Human Blues #1. Davies (2013)
FM-2030 (excerpt). Davies/Sclavunos (2013)
Untitled for Cyborg String Quartet. Davies/Sanna (2013)
Post Human Blues #1 (2013). excerpt. ISEA2013. Polysonics ABC studios. Camera: James Brown.
Involuntary players: Michael Bridges (violin), Kyle Sanna (violin), Michaela Davies (cello), Lea Simpson (viola)
Post Human Blues #2 (2013). excerpt. Sonica Festival, Tramway, Glasgow. Camera: Boris Bagattini.
Involuntary players: Dan Patterson (violin), Joe Howe (violin), Adam Scott (viola), Michaela Davies (cello)
This project was supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.