Douglas Henderson ::: What Could Replace Opus?

A large multi-stringed instrument, similar to a giant mechanical harp, with 4 pairs of strings from 35 to 60 feet in length arranged in a fanning formation. The strings are activated by the vibrations of electric motors and inductors, which are controlled by a primitive, hand-wired computer. The processor is programmed to produce 8 loops of on/off commands of different lengths, resulting in a 152.5 hour composition cycle. The sound produced is a series a rich rolling drones of ultra-harmonics riding on fundamental frequencies generated by the motors, and punctuated by the crackling of machine switches, and plucking devices. Enigmatic and ever-changing rhythms arise from on/off loop interactions and interferences between the detuned string pairs. What could replace Opus? is an erratic automaton battering the canon of Western masterpiece culture: alarming, tuneless, beautiful, demanding, and for all intents and purposes endlessly changing, a rigid and inscrutable organization.