Michael J Schumacher
STILL
“Still” is from a series of “Stills” from 1990s on, four of which appeared on Sedimental in 2001. Another appeared on “Room Pieces XI”. They are densely textured, lively yet static compositions, generated algorithmically, intended for multi-channel listening as installations, where the listener may wander around the space exploring the various elements from different perspectives. The video is a series of random photos and videos mostly of a personal or abstract nature, with additional material by Monika Sigeti, Zorica Čolić and Micah Silver, as well as two short excerpts from the films Sicario and Arrival.
Based in Brooklyn, Michael J. Schumacher has worked with spatialized sound, computers and electronics since the 1980s, creating multi-channel, generative "Room Pieces" presented in galleries, museums, concert halls, public and private spaces. XI Records has published a DVD set of five sound installations as computer applications, playable on up to eight speakers, which may be installed on a computer to create sound environments in the home. “Living Room Pieces” is another generative installation designed for home listening; in 2021 Schumacher created an edition of 10 for Raspberry Pi. “The Portable Multi-channel Sound System” is an 8 or 12 channel system that fits in a suitcase, with which he has toured Europe and the United States.
His interest in the relationship of musical form and architecture led to the founding of Diapason, a gallery devoted to the presentation of multi-channel sound installations, long-duration performances and intermedia artworks. The gallery's two high quality sound systems and its attention to the details of heightening aural perception made it an optimal space for creating and experiencing minimalist and process-based work. Founded (as Studio Five Beekman) in 1996, for its 15 years of existence, made possible by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Radke, Diapason presented over 150 shows by new and established artists, at a time when sound art was emerging as a distinct practice in the United States.
Schumacher is the music director of the Liz Gerring Dance Company, with whom he has collaborated on a dozen full-evening length works over the past 20 years, including three large scale pieces produced by the Kasser Theater in Montclair. He also performs regularly with choreographer Sally Silvers.
He studied music composition with Stanley Applebaum, Bernhard Heiden, John Eaton and Vincent Persichetti and piano with Seymour Bernstein, John Ogdon and Shigeo Neriki, and has degrees from Indiana University and Juilliard. He also worked with La Monte Young, Giampaolo Bracali and Milton Babbit. He has collaborated with choreographers, poets, architects, musicians and filmmakers including Oren Ambarchi, Bruce Andrews, Tom Chiu, Charles Curtis, Ken Jacobs, Victoria Meyers, Ursula Scherrer and Stephen Vitiello.
https://www.michaeljschumacher.com/