An interactive exploration of sound archives on the internet commissioned for Dia's series of artists' projects for the world wide web. By linking existing archives of natural and environmental sound, Vitiello creates an interactive survey which visitors may use both to produce their own compositions and as a guide for further web exploration.
Stephen Vitiello's "Tetrasomia" lays open internet archives for
interactive sound project.
On September 14, 2000, Dia Center for the Arts will launch
Stephen Vitiello's "Tetrasomia," an interactive exploration of
sound archives on the internet commissioned for Dia's series of
artists' projects for the world wide web. By linking existing
archives of natural and environmental sound, Vitiello creates
an interactive survey which visitors may use both to produce
their own compositions and as a guide for further web
exploration.
The term "Tetrasomia" refers to the Doctrine of Four Elements
written by Empedocles, a fifth-century BC philosopher who first
postulated that all matter is comprised of four "roots" or
basic elements: earth, air, fire, and water. This now common
notion provides the framework for Vitiello's organization of
the physical and natural sounds dispersed throughout the
internet. As with his earlier works, including an installation
atop the World Trade Center in which he placed microphones
against the glass windows of a 91st-floor office space,
Vitiello transforms ambient sound into compositional material.
With "Tetrasomia," Vitelleo invites the viewer to participate
as a creator as well as a listener by mixing sample sounds from
seventeen selected archives. Building upon this collection of
found sounds, Vitiello adds four new sound compositions based
on the four elements.
"Tetrasomia" may be seen at http://www.diacenter.org/vitiello .
Dia and Vitiello will celebrate the project on Thursday
evening, November 9, from 6-8 pm, with a party in Dia's
bookshop at 548 West 22nd Street, New York City.
Stephen Vitiello is an electronic musician and sound artist
whose compositions call attention to everyday noises, which are
often considered incidental or even unheard. Recent releases by
Vitiello include "Scratchy Marimba" (Sulphur, 2000) and "The
Light of Falling Cars" (JDK, 1998). Since 1988, Vitiello has
collaborated with a number of musicians, choreographers, and
visual artists. In 1997 he directed the video "Nam June Paik:
Performance, 1997 - Dress Rehearsal and The Last Ten Minutes";
in June 2000 he produced music for Mikhail Baryshnikov's White
Oak Dance Project's opening at The Brooklyn Academy of Music;
and in July 2000 with Constance De Jong and Tony Oursler, he
released "Fantastic Prayers," a multimedia CD-ROM produced by
Dia. Vitiello's sound-based installations have recently been
presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Lyon; Postmasters
Gallery, New York; and P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center, New
York. "Tetrasomia" is Vitiello's first solo project for the
web.
Dia's series of artists' projects for the web is generously
supported by the New York State Council on the Arts. Previous
projects include Gary Simmons' "Wake," Francis Als' "The
Thief," Arturo Herrera's "Almost Home," Diller + Scofidio's
"Refresh," Kristin Lucas' "Between a Book and a Hard Drive,"
Claude Closky's "Do you want love or lust?," Tim Rollins and
K.O.S.'s "Prometheus Bound," and Cheryl Donegan's "Studio
Visit." All may be viewed at http://www.diacenter.org.
Dia Center for the Arts is a tax-exempt charitable
organization. Established in 1974, the organization has become
one of the largest in the United States dedicated to
contemporary art and culture. In fulfilling this commitment,
Dia sustains diverse programming in visual arts, poetry,
education, and critical discourse and debate.
For more information about Dia Center for the Arts, please
visit our website
Media Contact:
FITZ & CO
Jennie Prebor / Agnes Han
Tel 212 627-1455 Fax 212 627-0654 E-mail: artpr@fitzandco.com