Alvin Lucier, the renowned American experimental composer who passed away in 2021, is posthumously contributing to the world of music through a groundbreaking installation titled Revivification at the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth. This innovative project utilizes lab-grown "mini-brains," or cerebral organoids, developed from Lucier's own reprogrammed white blood cells. These organoids are interfaced with a custom 64-electrode mesh, enabling them to generate and receive sound, effectively allowing Lucier's neural patterns to influence the auditory environment of the exhibit in real time.
The installation features 20 large parabolic brass plates equipped with transducers and mallets that respond to the neural signals from Lucier's organoids. Microphones within the gallery capture ambient sounds, including visitor interactions, which are then converted into electrical signals and fed back into the organoids. This creates a dynamic feedback loop, resulting in a continuously evolving, disembodied symphony that blurs the lines between composer and composition.
The Revivification project was a collaborative effort between Lucier and a team of artists and scientists, including Guy Ben-Ary, Matt Gingold, Nathan Thompson, and neuroscientist Stuart Hodgetts. Their work not only honors Lucier's legacy of integrating neural signals into music but also pushes the boundaries of art and science, prompting discussions about creativity, consciousness, and the ethical implications of such technologies.
This installation stands as a testament to Lucier's enduring influence and his vision of music as a living, responsive experience, continuing to inspire and challenge perceptions even after his death.