Narvaez Bay: Tidal Predictions
Type
Audio/Visual
Authors
Category
Creative Works
[ Browse Items ]
Publication Year
2014
URL
[ private ]
Abstract
July 19, Saturday, 3:30 + 4:45 pm
“Narvaez Bay: Tidal Predictions”
A conceptual work by Mark Timmings, co-composed with Stephen Morris, performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir under the direction of Jon Washburn.
Performance will take place aboard DEADHEAD*, a floating sculptural installation by Cedric Bomford with Nathan Bomford, and Jim Bomford.
Presented by Other Sights for Artists’ Projects
Hosted by the Vancouver Maritime Museum in Heritage Harbour
1905 Ogden Avenue
“In my work, I explore natural cycles by appropriating scientific data and enfolding them into the domain of art. The musical work Narvaez Bay: Tidal Predictions for 2012 forms a calendar. The daily tide levels predicted to occur near my home over the course of a year are transcribed onto a musical scale. Lunar cycles and the advent of solar equinoxes and solstices are also transfigured in this way.”
Mark Timmings
In its referencing the movement of the planets “Narvaez Bay: Tidal Predictions” reflects the medieval practice of “Musica Universalis” (Music of the Spheres), in which the perceived resonance of orbiting celestial spheres formed a basis for musical composition. The practice was metaphysical and focused on mathematical patterns of proportions. Unlike Musica Universalis however, Tidal Predictions was meant to be performed. The ebb and flow of the tide is interpreted through the inhaling and exhaling breath of 20 human voices, creating a seamlessly flowing interface with natural cycles, which conjures a universe in constant flux – a salutary reminder of the power of change in everyday life. By citing the archaic mathematical practice of Musica Universalis, Timmings expands upon the collection of information that serves as the basis of the composition, adding historical depth and reference to the inexorable unfurling of data.
The work is innovative in several ways: it incorporates information and data in its purview bringing together science and art — natural patterns and choral ensemble — creating a true multidisciplinary experience. Online information now suffuses all aspects of existence. In its use of data and algorithm to express natural phenomena, the work establishes correspondences between the natural sublime and technological sublime. The work is radically open ended. The algorithm that has been developed can be applied to any tide table anywhere at any time. The work in its very being is contingent, variable, potentially infinite.
“Narvaez Bay: Tidal Predictions”
A conceptual work by Mark Timmings, co-composed with Stephen Morris, performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir under the direction of Jon Washburn.
Performance will take place aboard DEADHEAD*, a floating sculptural installation by Cedric Bomford with Nathan Bomford, and Jim Bomford.
Presented by Other Sights for Artists’ Projects
Hosted by the Vancouver Maritime Museum in Heritage Harbour
1905 Ogden Avenue
“In my work, I explore natural cycles by appropriating scientific data and enfolding them into the domain of art. The musical work Narvaez Bay: Tidal Predictions for 2012 forms a calendar. The daily tide levels predicted to occur near my home over the course of a year are transcribed onto a musical scale. Lunar cycles and the advent of solar equinoxes and solstices are also transfigured in this way.”
Mark Timmings
In its referencing the movement of the planets “Narvaez Bay: Tidal Predictions” reflects the medieval practice of “Musica Universalis” (Music of the Spheres), in which the perceived resonance of orbiting celestial spheres formed a basis for musical composition. The practice was metaphysical and focused on mathematical patterns of proportions. Unlike Musica Universalis however, Tidal Predictions was meant to be performed. The ebb and flow of the tide is interpreted through the inhaling and exhaling breath of 20 human voices, creating a seamlessly flowing interface with natural cycles, which conjures a universe in constant flux – a salutary reminder of the power of change in everyday life. By citing the archaic mathematical practice of Musica Universalis, Timmings expands upon the collection of information that serves as the basis of the composition, adding historical depth and reference to the inexorable unfurling of data.
The work is innovative in several ways: it incorporates information and data in its purview bringing together science and art — natural patterns and choral ensemble — creating a true multidisciplinary experience. Online information now suffuses all aspects of existence. In its use of data and algorithm to express natural phenomena, the work establishes correspondences between the natural sublime and technological sublime. The work is radically open ended. The algorithm that has been developed can be applied to any tide table anywhere at any time. The work in its very being is contingent, variable, potentially infinite.
Description
https://deadhead.othersights.ca/tidal-predictions/
Number of Copies
1
