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Re: [microsound] laptop as a performance device.




On Thursday, March 17, 2005, at 12:42 PM, richard chartier / LINE wrote:

i am not sure why we keep coming back to the whether laptop is a viable instrument for performance.
its a device that people use to create therefore why should it neccesitate having to be translated into some grand dramatic gestural dance?

I think the issue surrounds how a performance is framed. A "recital" is different than a "presentation" than a "performance" than a "show". People (audience) bring different expectations to each. i think the problem arises when an artist is not aware or in control of how "whatever it is they do" is represented to the potential audience, by themselves by the promotional team or whoever is in control of the public face of the event.


if a laptop performer agrees to play in a club, where typically rock bands, or DJ's play, and ends up on the flyer as "Live PA" or "Performance By", and then just stands behind the laptop and tweaks, I think people (audience) feel dissapointed, or less engaged. This obviously does not apply to all audience members. I guess speaking for myself, I just am less interested these days in going to a"club-type" laptop show, because the listening environment (and since the LISTENING becomes the key factor most of the time) is less than optimal if it is at a club type event. People drinking talking, smoking etc... thats just not conducive to a great listen.

When it is at a Museum or a nice hall, then I am into it, because I can sit and enjoy the music. If it's gonna be dance music, then I just dance, does not matter if the person is playing laptop, vinyl or whatever... I know I am generalizing a bit, but I think the base critique is valid.

The framing of the event has a lot to do with it's percieved "success".


David Fodel 720-280-3179 805 East Chester St. Lafayette, Colorado 80026


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