RAlsop translating microscopic fast motion to a musical composition
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Roger Alsop (PI) 1 TWITCH: translating microscopic fast motion to a musical composition R.Alsop 1 , P. Myers 2 1 School of Performing Arts, Victorian College of the Art and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music , Melbourne University, Victoria 3006, Austral ia 2 independent researcher ‘TWITCH‟ is a musical composition derived from two sources: images of t he movement of monocytes, and the author‟s aesthetic response to these images as represent ed through a musical rendering.It considers microscopic imaging, data sonification, and mathematical interpretations/representations in the creation of an algorithmic process for generating an indefinite number of musical works. This short paper presents a very brief overview of the Art/Science nexus, the making of art, and the processes used by Myers and Alsop in developing an approach to music creation. Science/Art - Art/Science Leonardo Da Vinci is attributed as recommending these “[principles] for the Development of a Complete Mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses- especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” [1]Isidor Rabi [2]and then Charles Snow [3]considered art/science differently to Da Vinci, seeing that there was a divide, not just of tools but in ways of thinking, indicating a schism and consequent dichotomy that is mutually detrimental and need not exist. Their positions have been vigorously discussed, developed and extended as technologies have developed [4- 8]. These discussions generally focus on the development of a more holistic, catholic approach to inquiry and societal development, but, as Gibson puts it, the “"gulf of incomprehension" not only grows between science and non-science, but it can also be observed between, let's say, biochemistry and astrophysics.”[9]. There are many, often successful, efforts to bridge this gulf, the SPECTRA 2012 symposia attests to this. But perhaps scientists and artists have different styles, thought processes, and approaches to creative and inquisitive acts. A search limited to peer reviewed papers between 1924 and 2014 of my university‟s on line library catalog revealed 54,016 hits for the phrase “creative thinking”, 23,499 for “scientific thinking”,and 726 for “artistic thinking. Scientific thinking has well developed histories and methods for developing it in young people [10, 11]and in later education [12]. Artistic thinking has more diverse methods and history regarding developing it in young people and later education. This is demonstrated by the majorit y of the 54,016 discussions on creativity being based on creativity. Balkis et al [13]overview this regarding vocation and inter-personal attributes, but the majority of writing focuses on creativity within disciplines and approaches [14], and possible cross-disciplinary interactions [15]. Visualization and Sonification Much of the Science/art-Art/ Science relationship is expressed visually,Figure 1andFigure 2are examples from the Art of Science 2011 Gallery, Princeton, where the images are described as “not art for art‟s sake. Rather, they were produced during the course of scientific research [and] chosen for their aesthetic excellence as well as scientific or technical interest.”
RAlsop translating microscopic fast motion to a musical composition
