Patrick Marek Artist | Live Electronics

Cybernetic Hypnosis

Live Electronics interactive installation, 200 cm x 180 cm
10 variations of the Metaform, 40’

Introduction

In the context of my live electronics performances, I insert myself as a disruptive element of a cybernetic system, driven by music sequencer devices that, without my intervention, would never stop running and constraining me.

I conceived this system in order to transcend myself as a musician, by giving me the power of multiplication, playing several instruments at the same time. My interactions with the system allow me to modify its variables and therefore its behavior. The sonic feedback trigger my behavior. I am both master and slave of it.

This rebellious act demonstrates the importance and the possibility of always leaving a door open to human intervention. The superhuman power that a system gives us and the beauty of the technological gesture should not be exchanged for its domination over us. This also highlights the dual dependency between algorithms and humans.

Concept

We live every day, partially or totally immersed in computerized technical systems (1), managed by algorithms. This generates new states of consciousness, which I call cybernetic hypnosis, in reference to the cybernetic science (2) described by Norbert Wiener.

The practice of live instrumental electronic dance music, can, in my opinion, express and/or relieve these states of consciousness.

Instrumental electronic music is the ultimate evolution of music according to some thinkers (3). In this line of thought, techno music would be the ultimate form of ritual dance music, which develops according to the technological codes of our time while having for root the oldest rhythmic forms known to this day.

In the same way that the myths surrounding these ancient rhythmic forms (4) tell us, this music would reassure us, strengthen us, give meaning to the passing of time, allow introspection, celebrate the present, generate hope.

It would propose an alternative cybernetic hypnosis, whose foundations would not only be mathematics, efficiency and productivity, but the collective, the emotional and the hope, human feelings by nature.

Artistic Approach

The example of Techno is significant for my work. Indeed, this purely electronic music, created from a technical system, generates a positive cybernetic hypnosis.

My work consists in creating assemblies of inter-connected electronic and digital machines designed to be completely controlled by myself on the fly, with which I compose, design and produce music in a live-improvisation mode. I have developed a custom composition framework for this purpose, the METAFORM.

I give specific functions to my assemblages in order to artistically rebalance the human-machine dependency, been able to change the variables of the system, on the fly. By creating consistent music, I demonstrate that the solution metaphors I propose actually work.

Recordings

References

(1) Technical systems, Jacques Ellul.
(2) The Human Use of Human Beings, Norbert Wiener.
(3) Why Music, Francis Wolff.
(4) The myth of cross-rhythm, C.K.Ladzekpo.
Photo by Maurício Mascaro on pexels.com