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Thesis Info
- LABS ID
- 00431
- Thesis Title
- Altered states of consciousness as an adaptive principle for composing electroacoustic music
- Author
- Jonathan Weinel
- E-mail
- jonweinel AT gmail.com
- 2nd Author
- 3rd Author
- Degree
- PhD
- Year
- 2012
- Number of Pages
- 116
- University
- Keele University
- Thesis Supervisor
- Rajmil Fischman
- Supervisor e-mail
- r.a.fischman AT keele.ac.uk
- Other Supervisor(s)
- Diego Garro d.garro@keele.ac.uk, Oliver Harris oliverharris@mac.com
- Language(s) of Thesis
- English
- Department / Discipline
- Music
- Copyright Ownership
- Author
- Languages Familiar to Author
- English
- URL where full thesis can be found
- www.jonweinel.com/phd/
- Keywords
- Music, Electroacoustic Music, Sonic Arts, Altered States of Consciousness, Hallucinations, Entoptic Phenomena, Max/MSP, Audio Visual Composition
- Abstract: 200-500 words
- The aim of this research was to use altered states of consciousness (ASCs) as an adaptive principle for composing electroacoustic music, in which common features of the ASC experience provide a basis for the design of sonic material and inform the structural design of corresponding musical sections. Various cultures throughout history have sought to undergo visionary journeys using hallucinogenic plants and drugs. In many cases these experiences have been used as a basis for the creation of art, literature and music. Informed by a survey of relevant work, this practice-led research develops a compositional process for creating electroacoustic music that is based upon hallucinogenic perceptual states. Though situated within the electroacoustic idiom, the work also draws significantly upon Western psychedelic culture and electronic dance music. The output is a creative portfolio containing a series of musical compositions, software and video. This supporting commentary describes the compositional processes in detail, and it is hoped that it will be of interest to other creative practitioners dedicated to exploring this theme in music and other mediums.