QUANTUM FRAME
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
2019 -
2018
2018
The Quantum Frame is a mechanical installation that speculates on the future of quantum computing and what that may hold for machine intelligence and consciousness. The installation takes the form of the present day quantum computer, with a tubular central chamber, where machine learning data drives the mechanical movements of an electromagnetic structure, breathing life into the metallic framework, a ghost in the machine.
The current version of the frame is self-generative. But the artist hopes that once time-sharing of the quantum computer is open to the general public, that the installation may be able to talk with the quantum machine directly via data transfer.
This piece is currently on-going. Magnetic field experimentation and research with ferrofluid are currently in--progress.
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
LITTLE SOUND MACHINES
2018
The Little Sound Machines is a sound installation consisting of a series of both mechanical and digital machines that are connected to an AI network. Three AIs form the central brain of the network. Through learning from and influencing each other, the AIs construct the musical phrases that are then played out through a series of sound-generating machines. The music generated by the AI is also presented on a series of television screens that visualizes both the AI data and audio, as well as machine logic and behavior to the audience.
This piece proposes a new mode of music creation in the age of intelligent machine. Through experimentation, the artist presents an exploration of new musical interfaces that erases the composer from the equation, to present a purely machine-made performance.
The Little Sound Machines are made from found objects, up-cycled and spare parts.
MUSIC + SOUND
Since 1990
Based in Shanghai, China — SoundSpade is the solo and dj project of Benjamin Bacon (USA). He is the co-creator and resident DJ for Black Eyeliner • ⿊黑眼线 and the founder, organizer and resident musician for Voltage Divider • 分压器器, a series of live music and media events in Shanghai and Beijing that explore different experimental and avant-garde musical styles and non-traditional production methods. In 1994 he formed DIES IRAE ! US with fellow confidant Jonathan Ford (Dissociate) and performed at festivals such as Wave Gothik Treffen in Leipzig, German. In the late 1990’s Jon and Ben left Dies Irae ! US and formed the electro-industrial duo Animadversion and in the early 2000’s he went on to form the band Blindworks.
Throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s he Dj’d at various venues in North America, Europe and Asia. He is the co-founder of Dogma Lab, a cross-disciplinary media and design consultancy based in Shanghai where he also designs and produces his own line of musical instruments and
synthesizers under the brand Dogma E-Sound.
His music and performances has been featured in magazines such as That's Beijing, Smart Shanghai, Modern Weekly, the German National Radio, Shanghai Community Radio, etc.
You can find a selection of SoundSpade's music at https://soundcloud.com/soundspade.
Images taken by Modern Weekly magazine.
MUSIC PROJECTS
ARTIFCAT UNKNOWN
2020 -
SOLO MUSICIAN
Categories: Experimental, electronic, ambient.
Releases:
-
"Music for the Isolation II", Thanks for Stopping By Compilation, released by Guangzhou Underground (GZUG) Records.
SOUNDSPADE
2005 -
SOLO MUSICIAN, DJ AND SOUND ARTIST
Categories: Experimental, electronic, sound design, production and producing.
Releases:
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A Future Robots Funeral
-
Number Stations EP
-
Noise Floor Constructions
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Volume I - Dirty Disco - Live and Remastered
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Taxeee Tapes Vol. 3
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Face the Beat Session 4
-
Re-Charge Music Compilation
BLINDWORKS
2002 - 2005
BASS, SOUND DESIGN, PRODUCTION
Categories: Indie and alternative rock.
Releases:
-
Space Heaters EP
ANIMADVERSION
1998-1999
KEYBOARDS, SAMPLING, GUITAR, BASS, VOCALS, PRODCUTION
Categories: Electronic, industrial and synth pop.
Releases:
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Release Number One
-
Release Number Two
-
Release Number Two 2017 Remix (by SoundSpade)
DIES IRAE! US
1995 - 1998
BASS, SAMPLING, KEYBOARD, PRODUCTION
Categories: Dark pop, electronic and industrial.
Releases:
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Dogma
-
Unbelievers EP
-
Wave Gothic Treffer Live
MUSIC EVENTS
VOLTAGE DIVIDER
2014-2019
SHANGHAI / BEIJING
Voltage Divider is a bi-monthly experimental live electronic music night that was started by Benjamin Bacon in Shanghai. The goal of the event was to bring together Beijing and Shanghai (occasionally Hong Kong) musicians that have diverse music styles to dedicate a night to the showcase of electronic music, and to encourage musical exchange between the two cities. Voltage Divider - Snapline was listed as one of the top underground shows of 2015 in Smart Shanghai.
Selected reviews on Voltage Divider and his music during that period:
- Listen to his conversation about AI and art with musician and artist Wang Changcun at B-Side China Podcast and RADII journalist Josh Feola.
- View the MANA Shot interview video where SoundSpade talks about his experimental works and instrument design.
See a selection of Voltage Divider event posters in a slideshow on the right.
BLACK EYELINER
2012 - 2015
SHANGHAI / BEIJING
Black Eyeliner is a monthly multimedia DJ night that was started by Benjamin Bacon and Alex Chow in Beijing. We strive to bring a diverse variety of music to the Beijing underground music scene. Blackeyeliner is produced by Dogma and has been featured in
magazines such as Timeout Beijing, City Weekend.
See a selection of Black Eyeliner event posters in a slideshow on the right.