MARKET RESEARCH SYMPHONY - LINE ORGANIZATION
World premiered in the Degenerate Art Orchestra show at The Moore Theater on March 19, 2005. The ensemble consists of an orchestra, a commander, 2 captains, and a researcher. The orchestra is divided into 4 sections (organized timbrally). The researcher asks a member of the audience what he/she would like to hear. The researcher then types this information into a computer which will have its screen projected onto the venue, where the audience and commander can read it, but not the captains or orchestra. The commander then calls upon a captain to execute this suggestion, but communicates to the captain without using words, singing, or playing a sonic instrument. The captain then chooses one of the orchestral sections, relays the communication to the section with the intent of actualizing a sonic interpretation of the communication, without using words but with all other forms of communication allowed. Orchestra members will create a looping phrase that faithfully represents what the captain is communicating. The captain may prune, adjust, veto, and encourage as the section works towards that end. Once a satisfactory (to the captain) phrase is achieved and looping, the captain will look to the commander for approval. The commander will approve (thumbs up), reject (thumbs down), or motion for the captain to approach for amendment (which will be communicated with the same limitations). This whole cycle is repeated indeterminately and continuously with different audience members and different orchestra sections.
At any time, the commander may instruct a captain to stop and start over on a phrase, with or without additional instructions. Members of the ensemble will always act in good faith to represent explicitly the intentions of the given communications. At no time will any member of the ensemble attempt to interject personal proclivities, assumptions, or "improvisations". Give the audience EXACTLY what they’re asking for.
- Mike Min