ISSTA 2017 International Festival and Conference on Sound in the Arts, Science and Technology

30 July 2017

DATE: Thursday 7th & Friday 8th September 2017

LOCATION: Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland

ISSTA 2017: Sound–Makers: technologies, practices and cultures

ISSTA-17 is the annual conference of the Irish Sound, Science and Technology Association, featuring experimental music performances, AV installations, workshops, sound art, academic presentations and even a cutting–edge ‘club’ night!

This year’s theme of ‘Sound-Makers: technologies, practices and cultures’ brings together practitioners and researchers in the field to share their experiences, creativity and skills over 2 days in Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Custom–made and repurposed controllers and intentionally hackable instruments now support the creation and control of new music and AV work outside the mouse and keyboard paradigm.

These technologies are increasingly being championed by grassroots movements which are driven by the designers, makers and creators who build and use them. Maker groups, festivals and social spaces––frequently more diverse and inclusive than those of academia and industrial R&D––have emerged to engage new creators and audiences through music, visual and sound art performances.

ISSTA-17 promises to offer audiences and participants an exposure to the exciting new creative experiences afforded by these new approaches!

Keynotes:

We are delighted to feature keynote presentations from 3 of the leading voices in the field:

Peter Kirn (Editor–in–Chief, CDM: Create Digital Music) http://cdm.link/
Dr. Teresa Dillon (Artist–Researcher, Professor of City Futures at University of the West of England, Bristol) http://www.polarproduce.org a
Dr. Luca Forucci who will present his recent work with musicians in South Africa

Workshops

ISSTA will feature 2 special ‘hands–on’ workshops:

Instrument maker and designer, Andy Wilson will guide participants through building their own Sine Wave Oscillator. No previous soldering or electronics experience is required and everything you need to build the oscillator will be provided.

Participation in this workshop requires a fee of €30 but you get to leave with your very own oscillator! NOTE: you do not need to be registered for the conference to take part in this workshop.

David Strang will then explore the potential of Springs and Coils as sound generating devices, taking participants through spring reverb, magnetic pickup coils and mini FM broadcasting (http://www.davidstrang.co.uk/).

Participation in this workshop requires registration for the conference and advance booking.

NOTE: Participation in the DIY Oscillator workshop is also open to those not registered for the conference (on payment of the participation fee). Contact niall.coghlan@dkit.ie for more information.

Late Night ISSTA

This year, ISSTA will feature a special ‘after hours’ club night, featuring a special live set from one of Irelands leading proponents of electronic music Dunk Murphy, AKA Sunken Foal.

Dunk Murphy has been writing, performing and producing all manner of electronic and acoustic music for almost 20 years. Under monikers Sunken Foal and Press Charges, and as a member of Ambulance and The Natural History Museum, he has had releases on Planet-Mu, Black Acre, Acroplane, The Fear, Front End Synthetics, U:Mack, Heresy and Countersunk.org. Championed by BBC6 DJ Mary Anne Hobbs, Donal Dineen and the late John Peel, Dunk's music covers a large area showcasing his deep knowledge of synthesizers, grooving rhythms and plucked instruments as well as a keen ear for a unique sound and emotive melody. In summer 2017, Dunk releases his ambient epic ‘Supersede’ under the guise of ‘Minced Oath’ through www.countersunk.org.