About this blog
This is a blog where I keep notes about my activities as a musician and a researcher at Malmö Academy of Music, Lund University. Until October 2008 these notes relate to my work on my PhD thesis Improvisation, Computers and Interaction but has since then become more general. Published (and unpublished) papers, essays and articles may be found in the documents section.
Please feel free to post comments on any of the entries in the blog. Due to recent spam attacks on this site, you will need to register in order to post comments. This is handled by TypeKey and it's free, safe and easy.April 10, 2012
European Saxophone Ensemble
In a EC funded project French saxophonist Guillaume Orti will select twelve members for a European saxophone ensemble. If you are interested vist www.european-saxophone-ensemble.eu. Stéphane Payen is among the composers who will compose for the ensemble so this should be real interesting.
Posted by henrikfr at 10:39 AM | Post a comment (0)
March 30, 2012
What is knowledge production in rtistic research?
Well, it's not a question that is easily answered and I strongly believe that it isn't just one thing. Further more, knowledge within the arts has obviously been produced even before the advent of artistic research.
For knowledge to be produced it is not necessary to produce answers to defined questions. Within the arts much of the knowledge is tacit and abstract, particularly in music, and the attempt to directly translate it to language will only lead to confusion. But this is not a problem per se, at least not if its done right. Though mostly text based, philosophy is another discipline that does not produce unambiguous answers but rather reflects upon the philosophical issues by way of asking new questions.
When succesful, these new questions that explicitly or implicitly arise from a philsophical or artistic research context will resonate in the recipient and through the attempt to address them she or he will create new knowledge.
Posted by henrikfr at 12:06 PM | Post a comment (0)
December 20, 2011
Freedom and individuality
When discussing improvisation and freedom one argument that is frequently made is that people like Ornette Coleman and Derek Bailey are not as free as they argue. The proof is that they show such clear identity. Because they are so easily identified from their style and sound they cannot be free it is argued. I don't understand this point. Why is freedom and identity in opposition? What, in the concept of freedom, says that it implies novelty and originality?
I suppose that one reason for this argument can be traced back to Freudian theory and the concept of the super ego that controls the free flows of creativity. But this would suggest that identity is a social construct that dissolves in the subconscious, that is only manifested in the super ego. First of all, I'm not sure that the difference between super ego and sub consciousness is so clear cut. Secondly, I hate to think that identity and personality is not part of the sub conscious self.
If it is, freedom, as in free from conventions, is the only way to expressing identity, personality and originality (assuming that all individuals are also original) regardless of whether this expression changes over time or remains the same.
Posted by henrikfr at 10:27 AM | Post a comment (0)