Hestbak is an Icelandic music ensemble that primarily relies on instruments within the brass family. The group was formed about five years ago and focuses on incorporating “interactive technologies” and “animated scores” into their performances. Scores are projected in real time and converted into graphical forms which members of the group respond too. The group can be situated more in a performance based arena as the majority of their pieces rely on real time cause and effect circumstances. They use Pd/Gem to provide a versatile means of producing and responding to computer based data and animation. The use of projected scores in experimental music has been relied on by various other groups yet Hestbak is noteworthy for their creation of interactive environments that immerse both the group and th audience.
Given our introduction to Pd/Gem, I thought this group was an interesting example of a multi-disciplinary approach to incorporating the program within a defined medium. It seems to be a sort of post-modern extension of John Cage’s experimental scores and compositions that have influenced various musicians and artists. Specifically, the group is noteworthy for its reliance on audience participation which works to create a fully engaged environment.