The perception of potential: interference, dimensionality and knowledge

This paper presents a system that investigates the sonification of
wave interaction in a performance space and its interaction with
a live performer – the illumination of sonic activity within a real
space, in contrast to conventional ALife algorithmic, event- or
material-based approaches. The model maintains three parallel
representations of the entire live/virtual system: wavespace,
symbol space and performance space. The cross-modal analysis
and representation of behavior is important to the evolution of
the system, which displays emergence on multiple levels of
structure. Micro-evolution takes place within the population of
wave-emitting and –listening agents. A higher level of structure
emerges from their aggregate in interaction with the live
performer, and a formal level as symbol space learns from the
performer. Cross-modal representation is seen as a significant
factor in the evolution of Western art music, in the development
of multi-leveled structure and of work that affords many
dimensions of engagement. We discuss the nature of knowledge
produced through working with such systems and the role of the
subject in ALife-generated knowledge. New models of simulation-derived knowledge are seen as important to cultural understanding.