For large spatialized percussion ensemble
Music by Kara Gibbs
Images by Charissa Wall & Midjourney
Mimesis is a spatialized work for large percussion ensemble that takes sonic inspiration from a set of photo- realistic renderings of fantastical objects, created by composer Kara Gibbs using the AI text-to-image software Midjourney. Modeled after the detailed spirals and self-similar natural fractal patterns of coral, shells, bone and tentacles—and rendered by machine-learning technology—these newly-created mythological “creatures” mimic the natural world yet occupy an uncanny space that sits between machine art and nature photography. There is an inherent tension not only in the way they look: photorealistic but somehow unreal; but in the way they were created: through artificial intelligence.
Collaborating with visual artist Charissa Wall, the patterns and shapes within one of these images has been reimagined into a graphic musical score. Starting at the core and moving outwards, the composers’ sonic interpretations of these blooming patterns employs improvisation and interpretation by members of the percussion ensemble.
The term mimesis refers to the imitative process through which artists across genres interpret and represent the world through their art. In the context of this work, it references the repeating echoes of art imitating nature, artificial intelligence imitating art, and the artist reinterpreting it yet again. Derived from the same Greek verb as mime, mimic and mimicry, the title embraces the mildly sinister and mocking connotation of these terms as it brings into question the shifting power dynamics between the natural world, humankind, and the increasingly intelligent machines we have created.
Commissioned by Redshift Music with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. Dedicated to Jennifer Butler.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW SELECT PAGES FROM THE SCORE
