That which is bodiless is reflected in bodies

for Tibetan bowl and 8-channel computer-generated sound (2004)
version for expanded percussion setup and 2-8 channel sound
duration is 12′

That which is bodiless is reflected in bodies (2004) explores notions of disembodiment through the combination of physical and virtual objects and environments. The title is derived from a principle put forth in Artemidorus’ Oneirocritica (ca. 200 AD), a large compendium of dream interpretations. The piece involves two areas of my research into computer sound synthesis: SOS (Spatio-Operational Spectral) Synthesis, and multichannel physical modeling synthesis applications.

That which is bodiless is reflected in bodies was composed for Thomas Jefferson’s Rotunda Dome-room at the University of Virginia where it was premiered. The dome was re-imagined as a giant inverted bowl, with the speakers placed along the upper balcony of the dome. Through computer modeling, the audience is physically immersed inside a giant virtual singing bowl corresponding to the dimensions of the real physical space. No sampled sounds were used in the piece, every sound being generated by a computer; but my hope is that the music is organic and alive, as if the room were breathing and dancing and ringing.