Dilate Ensemble joined special guest Sarah Weaver, Director of NowNetArts (NY), for a conversation in the field of network arts. This event was part of the “Improvising the Net(Work)” residency in partnership with CounterPulse.

The conversation focused on Dilate Ensemble’s unique explorations pushing the boundaries of telematic networks resulting in their CATENA performance in January.

CATENA, a non-looping visual and densely textured sound experience had performers and audience members explore livestreams from two different physical spaces inside CounterPulse’s Tenderloin San Francisco building. Seamlessly integrated remote, distributed, and off-site sound and movement performances were mixed into the live time environment. CATENA interrogated what the imprint of a physical space and the bodies within can be given the harsh restrictions imposed during Covid lockdown.

Dilate Ensemble includes:

• Carole Kim (SoCal): video installation, direction
• Gloria Damijan (Vienna): extended toy pianos, percussion
• Scott L. Miller (Minnesota): Kyma, electronics
• Luisa Muhr (New York): voice
• Jon Raskin (NoCal): sax, concertina, electronics, recycled materials
• With special guest: Shinichi Iova-Koga: dance

Introducing an expert into this dialogue on improvised networks enhanced the residency experience. Special guest Sarah Weaver, Ph.D. a New York-based contemporary composer, conductor, technologist, educator, and researcher works internationally as a specialist in large ensemble and network arts. Her work explores contemplative concepts on network, synchrony, synthesis, and interconnection for artistic and social purpose. Weaver has composed solo, chamber, and large ensemble works for groundbreaking musicians for twenty-five years, integrating influences of classical, jazz, world, contemplative, electronic music, and individual music languages of performers. She is an innovator in network arts advancing live performance via the internet by musicians and artists in different geographic locations. Weaver is the Director of NowNet Arts and Sarah Weaver Ensemble, Executive Director of JackTrip Foundation, Editor of the Journal of Network Music and Arts (JONMA), and Faculty of The New School College of Performing Arts.

To learn more about Dilate Ensemble, read our recent blog on their CATENA presentation at CounterPulse.