From Xenakis’s UPIC to Graphic Notation Today
In the late 70s, an interdisciplinary team led by the composer Iannis Xenakis developed the compositional tool UPIC out of an effort to transform drawings into synthesized sound.
Together with the Centre Iannis Xenakis, the ZKM is now addressing for the first time the genesis of this unique computational instrument and traces its technical, social, institutional, and educational significance up to the current practice of contemporary composers who work with the idea of UPIC in current computer programs.
The volume with 27 richly illustrated contributions is published by Hatje Cantz. It is available both there and through the ZKM Bookshop as a print publication. In addition, it is published in its entirety as an open access version and available free of charge. On this page, the digital version is available for download as PDF, as well as audio samples and additional archive material not included in the print publication are accessible.
From Xenakis’s UPIC to Graphic Notation Today
From Xenakis’s UPIC to Graphic Notation Today
»Xenakis’s UPIC to Graphic Notation Today«, herausgegeben von Peter Weibel, Ludger Brümmer und Sharon Kanach
Peter Weibel
»The UPIC is a revolutionary composition device; a music machine that enables sounds to be generated directly via self-designed graphic structures.«
Dimitris Kamarotos, KSYME: UPIC in Greece – ten years of living and creating with the UPIC at KSYME
Additional image material for this article from the KSYME (CMRC) ― ChouPaF Unified Archives and Dimitris Kamarotos Archive
UPIC in Greece
Participants page from the Mycenae Polytope Program
Official inauguration of KSYME from the press
Invitation for the opening of KSYME with program notes
The first Greek manual of UPIC
Typical press coverage about UPIC capabilities, titled: »Music without … instruments«
Author working with T. Hauksson
Daniel Kienzy invited to KSYME for a workshop and concert
Program from a concert at the Athenaeum Conservatory in 1990
A letter from Iannis Xenakis to M. P. Theoharis (National Secretary for Research and Technology)
Press-clippings from newspapers in May 1992
Iannis Xenakis with Giorgos Papandreou
Press coverage of the new project for UPIC
Invitation ‘Endiamesos Xoros’ at Ileana Tounta Gallery
Abstract for the new UPIC
The Xenakis Ensemble and the activities of KSYME during the festival
Concert program of December 2, 1986
Letter to CEMAMu signed by S. Vassiliadis
A letter in Greek by Andreas Stafylopatis
Peter Weibel
»Music is the mother of all time-based arts and therefore plays a special role at the ZKM.«
