An exploration of immersive digital space as an integrated compositional medium
Music in the Shape of a Sphere is an immersive performance of digital sound objects, virtual soundscapes and spatialized sounds created by American visual artist and composer Matthew D. Gantt.
The work uses a real-time game engine and generative sound synthesis to create an immersive environment, transforming the dome into a three-dimensional compositional medium. Instead of separating music and images, Gantt brings them in relation to create a unified experience.
The materials for this piece were developed over a two-year period of experimentation, manifesting as WebVR installations, single-channel video works, kinetic software sculptures and more, before becoming a performance specifically adapted for the Satosphere.
The SAT had the pleasure of interviewing Matthew to discuss his work: read the written interview or watch the video just below.
This artwork benefited from the support of the Society for Arts and Technology’s (SAT) art creation program.
Meet the artist
Matthew D. Gantt
Matthew D. Gantt is an artist, composer, and educator based in Troy, NY. His practice focuses on sound in virtual spaces, generative systems facilitated by idiosyncratic technology, and digital production presets as sonic readymades. He worked as a studio assistant to electronics pioneer Morton Subotnick from 2016- 2018, and has been an active participant in the international creative community, presenting or performing at spaces such as Pioneer Works, Issue Project Room, Roulette, Babycastles, SVA Visible Futures Lab, Feral File, IRCAM, ICST Zurich, and countless DIY venues and grassroots organizations.
Gantt releases music with Orange Milk and Oxtail Recordings, is a member of New Museum's NEW INC creative incubator, and has taught experimental composition in both institutional and DIY contexts,including NYC non-profit/public media studio Harvestworks, CUNY Brooklyn, Bard College, Sarah Lawrence, and a variety of community workshops aimed at creating equitable access to developing technologies. Gantt’s work has been featured in The Wire magazine, Pop Matters, Exclaim!, Tiny Mix Tapes, Bandcamp New and Notable and more.