Cybernetic listening, technodiversity, and data corpora: Exploring ecologies through human–machine improvisation

In this talk, I will speak about different examples of my work in the field of human-machine improvisation and theorize them regarding the concepts of cybernetic listening, ecology and technodiversity.  

The concept of cybernetic listening is introduced to theorize the listening of the human-machine system, deploying a cybernetic ontology and concept of agency as dances of agency (Pickering), emphasizing the emergence of agency in intra-actions (Barad). I will explore the mediality of cybernetic listening in my practice of human-machine improvisation and link it to an understanding of musical agent systems as assemblages (Born). 

Musical agent systems will be emphasized as performance ecosystems (Waters) and the compositional process of their development will be theorized within an ecological paradigm (Hörl & Parisi), highlighting the complex integration of machine learning (AI), feedback, hardware components and material, cultural histories etc. Construing work in human-machine improvisation as Afrological musical practice (Lewis) will lead to a discussion of the decentralization of technè (Heidegger) by the concept of technodiversity (Hui), and present challenges to concepts of data corpora through the artistic practice.