instant city is many things at the same time:
an interactive computer game, an unpredictable
music instrument, a theatrical social game, a
psychological test, a light sculpture, a conversation
space, an aesthetic testing field…
Yet even when the various aspects of instant city
can be named, through its own art and means, this
music building game automat brings a dynamic impulse
into space that is new and whose true quality
has over and over again approved.
One or more players at a table can create architecture
using semi-transparent building blocks and in
the process make different modular compositions
audible.
Every performance is unique because the sequence,
timing and combination possibilities are completely
in the hands of the players!
For each game one composition is chosen.
To date, ten different musicians have each produced
special compositions which serve as the basic
music building kits of instant city.
Every game that is started here follows its own
unique, unrepeatable course.
The playing and what the game triggers are completely
different from person to person. Some would like
to walk away after only a short time, overwhelmed
by the limitless possibilities. Others would like
to loose themselves in the game. Perhaps mathematically
oriented players will try to proceed strategically
through decoding reaction patterns. Esthetes might
aim to create especially elegant constructions
– and allowing the musical effect to retreat
into the background. Musically inclined players
might try to coax as much music as possible out
of these "automatons". The approaches
to the game and the possible outcomes are limitless.
This music building game automat gains a further
dimension as more players gather around the table.
Inevitably a dialogue situation develops, the
action on the table transforms itself into a reaction
to what the others do. Although there isn't actually
a possibility to play against one another, still
aesthetic differences can become visible on the
game board in the same way as the
different personality structures do. Suddenly
there could be leaders who want to build up high
– or saboteur whose structural intention
is to disrupt or destroy. The music suddenly plays
the role of a commentator or also a referee, who
through sounds remarks upon the single acts.
With instant city an "instrument" has
been created that can enliven a space and the
events in it on a variety of levels.
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