Eryk Salvaggio: Gaussian Pop

An open-form seminar and workshop on the politics and aesthetics of AI-generated music led by media artist, theorist and musician Eryk Salvaggio.

Eryk will discuss his work and ideas on algorithmic culture, departing from the recent text Gaussian Pop: 14 Theses in which he attempts to situate AI music as an emerging ‘genre, or a movement of sorts, that is distinct from the sounds made by people.

"Sometime in 2025 you’ll be asked to describe what you want to listen to, and an app will give you some suggestions, but you’ll know them all, have worn them all out. You’ll notice something new: the search bar will pop up and ask if you’d like a JAM that fit that description. Curious, you’ll click yes, the window will go away, and new music will start to play. You’ll dig it. It’ll sound like exactly what you wanted."

- Eryk Salvaggio, Gaussian Pop: 14 Theses

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Eryk Salvaggio is a researcher and new media artist interested in the social and cultural impacts of artificial intelligence. His work explores the creative misuse of AI and the transformation of archives into datasets for AI training: a practice designed to expose ideologies of tech and to confront the gaps between datasets and the worlds they claim to represent.

Explore his work at https://www.cyberneticforests.com/

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This event is part of This Hideous Replica, at RMIT Gallery until the 16 November 2024.

Presented in association with ADM+S, Music Industry Research Collective, Design and Sonic Practice.