Agile Futures: “Convergences”

Description:

A panel presented as part of Agile Futures: Approaching Improvisation, the eleventh annual International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation colloquium. Convergences included twenty-minute presentations by Patrick O’Reilly and Stacey Bliss. 

Patrick O’Reilly’s talk “Composing Musical Networks: An Investigation into the Convergence of Extended Notation and Mail-Art” explored the historical practice of engaging the postal service as a platform for collaboration and exchange amongst artists. O’Reilly discussed his ongoing mail-art project in which he sends graphic scores on postcards to a growing network of international musicians. Laura Swankey was previously scheduled to join O’Reilly for this presentation but was unable to participate due to unforeseen circumstances. 

In “Heightened Awareness Through Improvisational Soundscapes: Shruti Box and Gong Songs,” Stacey Bliss discussed the healing properties of vibration through gong, shruti box, and vocal techniques. Her presentation closed with an improvisation on gong, accompanied by Cahtherine Lee on oboe.  

Presented in collaboration with the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation at the University of British Columbia and Coastal Jazz & Blues Society; and with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Canada, the British Columbia Arts Council, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, and SOCAN Foundation.

Video documentation of this event is available upon request.