Artist Statement

Hexaphonics is a system for teaching, learning and playing music based upon a simple geometric representation of the relationships between musical pitches. When these numerical relationships are represented graphically in a manner that reflects their true musical structure the fundamental nature of music can easily be perceived and learned. The problem with most existing systems for representing music visually is that the spatial models tend to obscure the true relationships. Hexaphonics clarifies the structure of harmony in such a way that the structures that are seen correspond directly to the structures that are heard. This structure is derived from psycho-acoustic research conducted by Gerald Balzano, Roger Shephard and others. This solid theoretical background supports the thesis that the structures of music may be simpler than they have been traditionally represented.

• Stephen W. Boyer (U.S.A.) is an artist and engineer with 15 years experience in the interactive arts. He is currently president of SkyBoy Productions, Inc., a development firm specializ­ing in the development of video games and advanced interactive technologies and content. As a senior producer at Viacom New Media, Steve was responsible for the devel­opment of interactive music technology for Nickelodeon and MTV. His design of an interactive musical logo for MTV is now being used to promote Intel’s MMX technology. Steve is also on the faculty of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Art and Technology Studies department.