Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland: Composers

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Softday

Softday
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Since 1999 visual artist Seán Taylor and computer software designer Mikael Fernström (aka SOFTDAY) have collaborated on a number of high profile science/art projects. Both artists are interested in exploring ‘the cracks’ between various media such as expanded theatre, sound art, sculpture, music, dance and the application of new technologies.

In September 2000 the artists presented a computer-generated musical composition Blian le Báisteach (A Year With Rain), with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the University Concert Hall, in Limerick University. The project was unique in that the composition was constructed using rainfall data supplied by Met Éireann for the year 1999-2000. The data was converted into music using a neural network trained by a database of traditional Irish melodies. The concert was web-cast live from the concert hall and received over 35,000 worldwide hits during the one-hour broadcast. The work was also showcased in the Irish Pavilion for the duration of EXPO 2000 in Hanover, Germany.

In October 2002 the artists’ second collaborative project Cóisir an tSionann (The Shannon Suite) was performed by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Daghda Dance Company and the Berlin-based choir ‘Der Brullchor’ (the Roaring Choir), in the Turbine Hall of Ardnacrusha Power Station, Co. Clare. A audience of over 500 experienced the live event while the event was also webcast to a further audience of almost 30,000.

Síonna Festival of Traditional Music and Dance commissioned a multi-media performance art work from SOFTDAY to mark 2003 as the Year of the Disabled. The work entitled Bawnmore Suite - Common Ground was performed at the Brothers of Charity Bawnmore Campus. The work was performed before an audience of 600 people, and was spread over three separate venues on the campus. The work was performed by Kenneth Edge, the Bawnmore Ensemble, Lucernarium and the Irish String Orchestra directed by Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

(biography © Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland)

Composer web site: www.softday.ie