We unpacked a lot in this interview with associate professor of UNSW Oliver Bown and Stuart Buchanan, Head of Screen programming at Sydney Opera House. they have converted data taken from the machinations of the Opera House into a digital musical experience that you can live stream for the whole month of October... The Opera House becomes a living artwork. We hope this podcast explains the way AI and art can come together to create some amazing artworks.
Livestream runs from 1 - 31 October for 744 hours. you can find out all the information on the Sydney Opera house Website.
'The Sydney Opera House comes alive like never before through an uncanny symbiosis of machine learning and human creativity, as the sounds and the data from the building itself are dramatically recomposed for an unforgettable 50th-anniversary performance across October.
What will the future of performance look like? To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re looking ahead to ponder the weird and wonderful new ways in which technology and human creativity collaborate – by turning the Sydney Opera House itself into the star performer.
The Interactive Media lab from University of New South Wales team up with music technologists Uncanny Valley to harness data generated by the building and turn it into music.
Across the month of October, the resultant 744-hour generative artwork will use A.I. processes to dynamically recompose the everyday data flow of the building into a unique musical soundscape.
Augmented with field recordings from the building, including the sounds of the Concert Hall’s Grand Organ, the work will be livestreamed on Stream, the Sydney Opera House’s streaming platform, accompanied by generative visuals, and ‘performed’ in situ at various moments during the Birthday Festival.
Music of the Sails is a joyous celebration of a cultural icon and a dazzling glimpse into future possibilities.
Interactive Media Lab, University of New South Wales
The Interactive Media Lab at UNSW’s School of Art & Design researches and teaches emerging media technologies and their application in creative work.
Uncanny Valley
Uncanny Valley’s focus is one part musical craft, and the other sonic technology. Armed with decades of experience, they harness their diverse musical expertise and collaborate with artists and brands to create their unique sound. They utilise emerging technologies and engage audiences to tell musical stories via all mediums.'
Thanks Natasha from the Opera House for organising and hosting.