SHIH-WEI LO: TIMELAPSE/GESTURE
for amplified viola solo (2011)
World Premiere: Melia Watras, viola; January 11, 2012, Meany Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Program Notes:
In this piece for amplified viola solo, I try to experience the idea of “conceptual compound”: timelapse represents the whole structure, and gesture illustrates the unique behavior or feature in every single piece.
The inspiration of the first one, Time’s Flow and Condensation, comes from reading the short story 20 Sculptures in One Hour by Lydia Davis; our perception of time and its relativity is challenged by the author’s description.
The behavior of Looping Trajectory is based on the Automatous in Mechatronic Art: each phrase follows the similar path to pursue the goal, but the trace is slightly changed.
Diffused Light tries to capture the moment of diffused light’s motion.
Self-Replication is the spirit and essence of Arcus Morphing: through the transformation of the arc melody chain, the sound is brought to another status.
Timelapse/Gesture is dedicated to violist Melia Watras for her 2012 concert Viola, Circa 2000 at Meany Theater, University of Washington.
—Shih-Wei Lo