Polyphonic anarchy: the (de)construction of the scale

With a professional background in drums and tabla, I investigate the poetics of improvisation and percussion in the theater of objecthood. In embodied sound performances with objects and sculptural instruments, I seek chance encounters between elements within and beyond control. Not a rejection of control, but an allowance of autonomy and freedom in performance.

Polyphonic Anarchy is a generative manifesto, the bones of a mischievous method book, a treatise on the marriage of drumming and anti-drumming, and the mapping of the musically forbidden. Its aim is the reconstruction of the musical scale, the liberation of melody, rhythm, and notation, along with wild new instruments, and the deliciously unknown techniques for playing them.

Additionally, I seek to create a record of my time here as a graduate student at University of Iowa, through the lens of my creative practices as they have evolved, culminating in my MFA thesis exhibition, Polyphonic Anarchy, at the Levitt Gallery. I investigate experimentation in the studio as well as the final installation of the show and live performance. I include thoughts about collaborations, concerts here and abroad, references to other artists and concepts, and essentially create a map of theory and technique, for myself and for those seeking to push their improvisation and creativity to the edge.