5 questions to Eli Keszler (composer, artist and multi-instrumentalist)
Can you tell us more about your new piece, L-Carrier, that premieres on June 7 at Eyebeam?
I’m really excited to be putting this new piece up. It will be running for 2 weeks, June 7 – 23, with an octet playing as part of the opening. The installation component is large-scale, using extended strings ranging in length from 3 to about 70 feet long going across the space, overlapping and twisting around each other installed into the two-story high ceiling. The strings are struck by motorized beaters, which are run by a mechanical micro-controller system. Also, solenoids will be scattered around the space, which will make percussive attacks and crisp sounds in contrast to the harmonic sustain from the tuned strings.
The piece is built using an intertwined feedback system, which is based on a portfolio of images that are reordering and moving on a remote website. These images trigger patterns in the installation’s mechanical system. When people view the website, it sends information to the installation as to how to work the patterns. The system begins with a security camera close up on one of the strings triggering the start of the patterns (portfolio) on the website; in turn, it cues the motors to strike the strings. So in total, the strings are cuing the patterns, which are cuing the strings. The whole system is activated by itself. The site displaying the operating patterns, the surveillance video and an audio feed of the installation is hosted at turbulence.org starting June 7.
Eli Keszler performing Cold Pin
The free improvisation group AMM have, remarkably, been active since 1965, and founder-member Eddie Prévost has been a constant presence. Cornelius Cardew was a long-standing member, and occasional collaborators include Christian Wolff and Evan Parker. Ornette Coleman was apparently asked to leave.