A structured improvisation performed by Andrew Garton, Andy Bagley, Paul Abad, Andrew Kettle for Small Black Box, 25 July 2004, Judith Wright Centre, Liquid Architecture Festival. Recorded by ABC Classic FM.
Introductory Notes
Drift Theory is a collaborative composition, each performance entirely unique, each performance influencing the next, exerting notions of drift as it may occur in creative, social and psychological development, both of the performers and the piece itself.
Drift Theory is based on four movements, each defined by a research strand that has at its core, principles of drift that influence the overall direction and outcomes of the subject matter explored.
The word drift is used to define a system having a distribution of events, objects, associations and intentions of individual velocities.
The four movements
Drift[1] Theory is comprised of four individual movements, performed twice throughout the duration of the performance, and an additional series of linking movements referred to as drift sequences.
The composition is performed in two parts representing at least 2 iterations of both movements and drift sequences.
1st Movement – Genetic Drift
Natural selection isn’t the only mechanism of evolution. One of the most important theories of evolution is genetic drift. Genetic drift is a process of pure chance by which gene frequencies can change with no external stimuli. Some have even argued that drift is more important than natural selection in evolving new species.
2nd Movement – Neutralization
“Neutralisation Theory, or Drift theory as it is often called, proposed that juveniles sense a moral obligation to be bound by the law. Such a bind between a person and the law remains in place most of the time, they argue. When it is not in place, delinquents will drift.”
3rd Movement – Continental Drift
“In 1915, the German geologist and meteorologist Alfred Wegener first proposed the theory of continental drift, which states that parts of the Earth’s crust slowly drift atop a liquid core. The fossil record supports and gives credence to the theories of continental drift and plate tectonics.”
“Wegener hypothesized that there was a gigantic supercontinent 200 million years ago, which he named Pangaea, meaning ‘All-earth’.”
4th Movement – Theory of the Derive
“One of the basic situationist practices is the dérive (literally translated as drifting) , a technique of rapid passage through varied ambiances. Dérives involve playful-constructive behaviour and awareness of psychogeographical effects, and are thus quite different from the classic notions of journey or stroll.”
Listen
- Drift Theory 2, Australian Music, ABC Classic FM
Notes
- ↑ The word drift is used to define a system having a distribution of events, objects, associations and intentions of individual velocities.