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ANTS

by Andrew Byrne

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1.
three lines with four sounds (darting) 02:29
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2.
one line with six sounds (strolling) 01:41
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3.
one line with eight sounds (pacing) 02:45
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4.
one line with three sounds (shuffling) 01:10
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5.
one line with six sounds, divided into two (ambling) 02:04
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6.
one line with eight sounds in canon (lurching) 03:32
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7.
two lines with six sounds (marching) 01:52
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about

A collection of seven systematic melodies generated by the cellular automaton Langton's Ant.

Version for percussion and drum machine samples from Kontakt audio libraries. (Pieces also be performed. Score is available at andrewbyrne.net/works)

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ANTS is a collection of melodies generated by the cellular automaton Langton's Ant. In this cellular automaton, an 'ant' travels across a grid, its journey dictated by simple rules. More information on Langton's Ant (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langton%27s_ant)

Langton's Ant intrigues me because of the countless possible pathways the 'ant' can take across the grid by tweaking some simple rules. Some ant journeys are periodic, some symmetrical, and some random.

In ANTS, seven progressions of very different characters are generated. These ant journeys are then mapped onto a musical environment where the direction in which the ant travels matches certain pitches/sounds. For example, the ant can move in four directions on a grid of squares, so there are only four discrete sounds/pitches (No. 1). On the grid of hexagons, there are six possible directions therefore six sounds/pitches (Nos. 2, 4, 5) and on octagonal grids, eight sounds/pitches (Nos. 3, 6, 7).

From these limited materials, varied and complex progressions emerge. Cellular automata are, by their very nature, open-ended. Once the ant's journey begins, it continues indefinitely. My decision on when to conclude the pieces is arbitrary.

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released January 3, 2022

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Andrew Byrne Melbourne, Australia

Andrew Byrne is a composer and arts programmer whose creative work explores systems and process-based procedures. Living in New York for two decades, he immersed himself in American experimental-minimalist scene, which has had a profound impact on his own creative output. His work in artistic planning led to directorial roles at Carnegie Hall and Symphony Space. Andrew is now based in Melbourne. ... more

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