Numbers are consistently associated with symbolic data. The profound association of both with sound and music from Pythagoras to current work is well-established. Sonification looks for ways to realize symbolic data (representing results or measurements) as well as “raw” data (signals, impulses, images, etc.) into compositions. AT the basic level everything in a computer is symbolic, i.e. represented by 0s and 1s. In the arts the digital age has broadened and enhanced the conceptual landscape not simply through its servitude to the creative process, but as its partner. The rich history of the use of data that no doubt has paved the way for many of today’s experiments including my own.

Gena’s presentation will give a brief overview of sonification and well as an exposé of its presence in his own work.
Composer Peter Gena, holds a Ph.D. in music composition from SUNY at Buffalo. His works have been presented in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, including at The Art Students League of New York, Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáno (Seville); Computing Music IV (Cologne), La Notte Bianca (Milan), Festival d'Automne (Paris); Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Buenos Aires); Berkeley Art Musuem; Mini to the Max (Brisbane); the Universidad de Salamanca; the Cittadellarte/Fondazione Pistoletto (Biella); and The National Gallery of China (Beijing).

Since 1983, Gena has been a Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Previously he Assistant Professor and Northwestern University (1976-1983), and Lecturer at CSU, Fresno (1974-1976). He is decorated by the French government at the rank of Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques.