Algorithmic Pattern

Alex Mclean

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract:

This paper brings together two main perspectives on algorithmic pattern. First, the writing of musical patterns in live coding performance, and second, the weaving of patterns in textiles. In both cases, algorithmic pattern is an interface between the human and the outcome, where small changes have far-reaching impact on the results. By bringing contemporary live coding and ancient textile approaches together, we reach a common view of pattern as algorithmic movement (e.g. looping, shifting, reflecting, interfering) in the making of things. This works beyond the usual definition of pattern used in musical interfaces, of mere repeating sequences. We conclude by considering the place of algorithmic pattern in a wider activity of making.

Citation:

Alex Mclean. 2020. Algorithmic Pattern. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4813352

BibTeX Entry:

  @inproceedings{NIME20_50,
 abstract = {This paper brings together two main perspectives on algorithmic pattern. First, the writing of musical patterns in live coding performance, and second, the weaving of patterns in textiles. In both cases, algorithmic pattern is an interface between the human and the outcome, where small changes have far-reaching impact on the results. By bringing contemporary live coding and ancient textile approaches together, we reach a common view of pattern as algorithmic movement (e.g. looping, shifting, reflecting, interfering) in the making of things. This works beyond the usual definition of pattern used in musical interfaces, of mere repeating sequences. We conclude by considering the place of algorithmic pattern in a wider activity of making.},
 address = {Birmingham, UK},
 author = {Mclean, Alex},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.4813352},
 editor = {Romain Michon and Franziska Schroeder},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {July},
 pages = {265--270},
 presentation-video = {https://youtu.be/X9AkOAEDV08},
 publisher = {Birmingham City University},
 title = {Algorithmic Pattern},
 url = {https://www.nime.org/proceedings/2020/nime2020_paper50.pdf},
 year = {2020}
}