[ISEA97] Artist Talk: Nicolas Baginsky – The Three Sirens

Artist Statement

The Three Sirens sitting on their island’s shore surrounded by the modering bones of those not able to withstand seduction. The Three Sirens are partly robots, partly musical instruments. They teach themselves how to play. The implemented computer programs contain no information on notation, harmonies or musical systems. Artificial neural networks use self-organised and unsupervised learning to find out about improvisation and instrumental virtuosity. The neuronets learn by allocating related stimuli to neighbouring groups of neurons. Using this mechanism it is possible to reinforce similarities and to find hidden information within the presented sensor patterns (audio input). They learn to control their motors and mechanic characteristics (position sensor input). To give the instruments a chance to interact, their audio inputs are connected not only to their own amplifiers or microphones but also to each other. They first play at random, listen to their own sounds and later on to the other sirens. In the course of the performance, they develop rhythms, invent melodies and improvise. Through a human user’s interface (electric guitar, microphone etc.) session-like experiences can be made available to everyone.

  • Nicolas Baginsky (Germany). Born in Gräfelfing near Munich, Germany, 1961; 1989: Performance-group “Coax”; Project “Archetyp” (robotics, modern dance, music). 1990: Artist grant city of Hamburg, Project “Coax” (robotics, modern dance, music). 1994-95: Guest Professor Hochschule für Künste; Bremen. Performances: 1991-92 Stagings of “Coax” in Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Austria; 1995:1-beam music; Baginsky / Schwartz, Hamburg, Berlin, Hannover; 1996: “Digitale 1996′; Museum Ludwig, Cologne; 1997:”Der Sinn der Sinne; Kunst- and Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik, Deutschland, Bonn, “Die lange Nacht derGitarre”, Podeuvil, Berlin; laboratorium Mensch; Hygiene museurn, Dresden. Solo-Exhibitions: 1992: “Quasi Raked for the very first time; Expo-Henk, Rotterdam; ‘Transmigration: Trip Gallery, Luzern; Le Trianon, Paris, 1993; Tibet; Weisser Raum,  Hamburg, 1995; “Tibef; Sandmann & Haak, Hannover. Selected Group shows: 1991: Stipendiaten; 1990; Hamburg, Ars Electronica, Linz; 1992: “documenta 9” ‘Piazza Virtuale’, Kassel “Electronic Arts Syndrom; Berlin. 1993: “Mediale”, Hamburg; “Sabotage”, Glasgow; künstliche Spiele”, München; 1994: “V2”, Den Bosch; “Tripple X”, Amsterdam; 1995: “Telepolis”; Luxemburg,1996; “Ars Electronica”; Linz: “Digitale 96”; Cologne; 1997: “Virtual World Orthestra; Glasgow; “Machine Aesthetics”, V2, Rotterdam.