Output details
35 - Music, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts
University of Hertfordshire
Anarchy in the Organism : Cancer as a Complex System [Computer-generated sound and video installation]
Anarchy in the Organism is a large-scale public artwork (funded through Simeon Nelson’s Wellcome Trust Award) installed for the next year at the world-leading centre for research The University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre. It had an audience of many thousands (figures provided by the UCH arts curator).
Simeon Nelson formulated the following research questions:
- Are there underlying patterns that can be discerned in the genesis, growth and metastasis of cancer?
- How does cancer interact with the human organism?
- What properties of growth and development does cancer share with social, cultural and natural properties of growth and development?
- How can these properties patterns be made into comprehensible audio-visual imagery?
As well as the artistic output, and like Plenum, the work makes use of highly original algorithmic technology and spatialisation. The installation version features four simultaneous algorithmic video projections and octophonic 'whispering windows' audio diffusion. These algorithms are based on venous network geometries supplied by Simon Walker-Samuel, senior research associate at the Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging at UCH, University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, London. The visual and sonic components are built using custom-made code (using Field and Max) developed by the team.
The work exists in two versions – the installation currently at University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre and a live performance version (written for and developed by Kate Romano – Eb Clarinet). The live version features live signal processing and algorithmic sound and is diffused in a point source fashion using rhythmic techniques detailed in 'your contribution'. As well as performances around the London area, the live version of the work will next be presented at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 2013, Kings Place 2014 and Frome
Festival 2014 with Kate Romano and The Goldfield Ensemble.
