“Theta for Pauline” is a sculpture and musical score made for Pauline Oliveros. When Seth Horowitz and I met Pauline and her partner Ione we quickly grew to respect both of them for the depth of their work. Learning about Pauline’s interest and development of “Deep Listening” was the topic that made us quick friends.
About Pauline Oliveros
Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016) is known for her lifetime spent as an electronic musician. As early as the 1950’s she created improvisati”ons with Terry Riley and Loren Rush. She also worked with Ramon Sender and Morton Subotnick founders of the San Francisco Tape Music Center. As Pauline’s interest developed in listening attentively she developed the concept of “Deep Listening”. Later this became the Center for Deep Listening at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY. Deep Listening is an idea a philosophy as well as a creative practice. Her concept embraced everyone without reservation. As a result, she easily formed a loyal community of interested listeners. This is a group that extends around the world. It includes not only well known composers but also students, friends, dancers and artists. It is this community of listeners that are dedicated to her voice and continue her deep listening practice.
The Inspiration for “Theta for Pauline”
We were informed that there would be a big celebration for Pauline’s 85th birthday in May 2017. For this event we were asked to contribute a composition of 85 seconds long to present to her. Yet in November of 2016 we learned that the works collected would become a memorial event instead. The event became a concert, an exhibition at the New York Armory and a conference which ran from June 1-3rd at McGill University. In addition a website titled “Still Listening: New Works in Honour of Pauline Oliveros” was created to present the scores and the donated works. Credit for this overwhelming task goes to the organizers Eric Lewis and Ellen Waterman as well as the curators Katherine Horgan, Dancy Mason, and Landon Morrison who not only organized and curated the event but also commissioned Director Amy Harvey to direct the concert.
Our Contribution
Our contribution Theta for Pauline is a work that is based on the theta brain wave. This wave is one of the five waves produced by the brain. It appears during meditative, hypnotic or the sleeping state. When we look at brain waves we are seeing the brain’s activity and one of nature’s most complex patterns. Theta for Pauline is an ode to an enormously compassionate woman who touched many lives and through her meditation on sound brought us to a new understanding of it.
Audio: Theta for Pauline
Our contribution Theta for Pauline is a work that is based on the theta brain wave. This wave is one of the five waves produced by the brain. It appears during meditative, hypnotic or the sleeping state. When we look at brain waves we are seeing the brain’s activity and one of nature’s most complex patterns. Theta for Pauline is an ode to an enormously compassionate woman who touched many lives and through her meditation on sound brought us to a new understanding of it.
Exhibitions/Performances
Our Theta For Pauline score is a 3D printed ring based on the theta brain waves. The circular layout indicates the continuous nature of Deep Listening and its impact that has both span generations and continues to grow. We mourn her death but will continue her vision.
“Still Listening: New Works in Honor of Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016)”
New York Armory, New York, NY
Marvin Duchow Music Library, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Also included in the Suoni Per il Popolo festival, 4871 St-Laurent, Montréal, Québec
The “Still Listening” Site
http://stilllisteningoliveros.com
Composers: http://stilllisteningoliveros.com/china-blue/
Scores: http://stilllisteningoliveros.com/theta-for-pauline/