ENLISTENING – Impromptu For A Piece of Paper

Machines reflect the desire for control, embodying our expectations of the ‘other,’ which often results in imbalanced power dynamics centered around ourselves. While we are confined to our own perspectives, could there still be ways to genuinely listen to others? Is there something worth exploring in the potential intersections?

EnListening is a multidisciplinary research project encompassing sound art, computer software development and improvisational movement. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative productions has become increasingly common, raising existential questions about humanity – particularly regarding the possibility of computers outperforming humans. The fear stems from the prioritisation of ‘human-like AI’ development, which tends to overlook the fundamental differences between humans and machines. In the context of generative AI, Its creative output is often evaluated solely through the lens of our aesthetics.

EnListening emphasizes the dynamics of collaboration rather than control in human-machine relationships. In the development of his performance system, Shawn aims to exemplify the distinct digital perspective and expression by employing machine-learning and algorithmic composition techniques. Through collaboration with Butoh dancer Tomás Tse (Theatre Aether), EnListening seeks to present an improvisational dialogue between human and machine, exploring the intersection of sound, computation, and dance.

EnListening hopes to reflect the concept of relationships and to explore the interactions between distinct realities.

Project Awarded by Hong Kong Arts Centre CREATORS FOR TOMORROW 2024