Patchbent Session: Performance Methods with Modular Systems w/ Senem Pirler

Description

October 8, 6-8PM: RSVP via Eventbrite. This event is pay-what-you-can.

The Patchbent Sessions are a meeting place and learning community supporting women, trans, and non-binary people in sound and music. In this workshop, Pirler will demonstrate and share her performance setup and ideas that inspired Unearthly Vibrations. Unearthly Vibrations explores a sonic and vibratory collaboration between human and non-human bodies. As multiple vibrators freely move in an aquarium, the artist captures their sounds using electromagnetic field (EMF) sensors. These sensors enable the listening of various frequencies and harmonics that the unique internal electronics and oscillation rates of the vibrators produce. Pirler then process the sounds using modular synthesis. As the vibrators interact with each other due to the magnetic properties of their bodies, they push and pull on one another, resulting in a dynamic and ever-changing spatial environment within the aquarium. In her role as their human collaborator, Pirler listens to the vibrators’ sounds and respond to their movements. By doing so, she is able to contribute to and shape our mutually created soundscape and explore the agency of non-human actor.

BIO

Senem Pirler (she/her) is an artist, sonic improviser, and educator. Pirler’s interdisciplinary work crosses over into sound art, composition, performance, video art, and installation. Born in Turkey, Pirler studied classical piano at Hacettepe State Conservatory, earned her M.M. in Music Technology from NYU Steinhardt, and her Ph.D. in Electronic Arts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Pirler has exhibited work nationally and internationally, including performances at the EMPAC (NY), Roulette (NY), The Kitchen (NY), Carnegie Hall (NY), Mabou Mines (NY), Southbank Centre (London), Akademie der Künste (Berlin), Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA), Baryshnikov Arts Center (NY), MIT Museum (MA), and Montalvo Arts Center (CA). Her work has been recognized by institutions such as the LMCC, Harvestworks, Institute for Electronic Arts, PACT Zollverein, Signal Culture, and EMS Stockholm. Pirler has been awarded a NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in the category of Music/Sound in 2022 and the Malcolm Morse Award to honor the work of Pauline Oliveros and Deep Listening in 2018. Pirler was a faculty member in Music at Bennington College from 2018 to 2024. Dr. Pirler joined the faculty of the University of Chicago in 2024.