Renick Bell

ISEA Bio(s) Available:

• ISEA2016
  I improvise music performances through live coding using a software library that I have written called Conductive. Live coding, or the performance through programming, enables a performer to manipulate symbols rather than use physical gestures to carry out a performance. For me, physical gesture is more limited in expressivity than manipulation of symbols representing abstractions; while humans have learned to use a complex vocabulary of gestures to produce art, the realtime manipulation of text-based symbols may increase the range of what is expressible. I also feel it is more convenient than typical graphical software that a user manipulates with a mouse. Through live coding, I achieve a text-based control center.

  I can specify complex parameter changes to be executed simultaneously while using a variety of existing programming tools to increase efficiency. From another perspective, live coding extends algorithmic composition and turns it into a live performance rather than a write/compile/run loop from traditional software development or electronic music composition. Because the music is generated algorithmically, I am often suprised and challenged by the resulting output. With these tools and methods, I can explore combinations of sounds and rhythm patterns, most of which I could not achieve without the use of my software. I am seeking such experience for myself in performances. At the same time, I want to continually make the code that I use more expressive. Exploration of these areas fascinates me.

Website:

• http://renickbell.net/doku.php