Multichannel Endangered Guitar Works generally consist of two
independent voices simultaneously drawn from the hybrid interactive
guitar/software instrument. In realtime created and processed from
guitar manipulations, sounds are distributed to a single voice located
somewhere in the room, and to a micropolyphonic/polyrhythmic pattern on
the speakers surrounding the audience.
Basic Configuration: Center Speaker In The Middle
Issue Project Room 2005: 16 Speakers On The Ceiling, 1 Speaker In Back
FAMU/Prague 2011: Mono Speaker High Up Behind The Audience
HfMT Hamburg 2012: Wavefield Synthesis System
In regular multichannel systems sounds are still heard as coming from
the direction of the speakers. Not so in Wavefield Synthesis Systems,
here sounds are perceived as moving in space independently of the
speakers, e.g. they can stop in front of your face, and travel slowly
through your head. It is possible in Wavefield Synthesis Systems to move
mutliple sources independently of each other in the space, however, to
preserve the clarity of the spatialization I opted for just moving the
mono voice around, while fixing the micropolyphonic/polyrhrythmic
pattern on the four walls of the room.
Other Configurations
Any configuration that allows for special placement of a single
speaker could work. A performance can take place in any space, but works
better in spaces that are not necessarily set up as a traditional
concert space (such as churches, cellars, circular spaces, caves, etc).
Support
Multichannel Endangered Guitar Works have been supported by
American Music Center, Cultural Department of the American Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria,
Diapason Gallery, and
Engine 27.
Media
Hans Tammen & John Jannone (visuals) at Issue Project Room 2005
Archived live stream of performance at
DA-Fest in Sofia on Sep 14, 2011. This performance was sponsored by the Cultural Department of the American Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.