Formal Analysis and Computer Process - Algorithmic Music I/II

Teaching unit ARCH-P7123 - Master 1 & 2
Teachers: Denis Derycke (coordinator), Michel Lefèvre
Invited lecturers: Uri Wegman, Julien Rippinger

The Formal Analysis and Computer Process module considers architectural composition as an operation primarily based on principles that are inherent to architecture itself, devoid of any form of contextualization, function or ideological content. It assumes that the purpose of architecture mainly lies in the shapes and spaces through which architecture reveals itself, as well as in the graphic means – drawings and models – through which architecture is designed, which are often its only mode of existence. In such an approach, the design is no longer meant to produce a concrete output; the creation of exploratory composition processes becomes an end in itself.

In this 12 week exercise, students investigate a given artwork or set of artworks from the same artist. The objects of study are from the fields of painting, sculpture, music or architecture, and their initial composition methods are related to systemic processes. Students are asked to extract formal vocabulary and recurrent composition rules out of their object of study. Then, they translate and interpret those rules with parametric computer programming, so as to generate random (parametric) architectural configurations that match their initial analysis. In the end, they proceed to an architectural rendition of the work of art they previously analyzed, within the space of a 10 cm cube. To do so, they use only the following graphic means: axonometric projections and 3D printing.

2021-2022 theme
Minimalist/algorithmic/serial music. Selected composers: Joan La Barbara, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Johanna Beyer, Terry Riley, Cornelius Cardew, Johann Sebastian Bach.

Featured projects:

Joan La Barbara & John cage, Solo for Voice 45 (1977)
Dina El Khattabi & Ayman Ouiriarhli Ameur | Source Code

Johann-Sebastian Bach, Chaconne - Partita n°2 (1717-1720)
Leylou Boey & Alexandre Troc | Source Code

Cornelius Cardew, Treatise (1963-1967)
Raban Ohlhoff & Jules Duwez | Source Code