Projects Archives - Miya Masaoka

Cubistics, a 3-dimensional score for audience mental mapping and musicians

Cubistics is a composition for audience mental mapping and musicians by Miya Masaoka. This piece requires audience participation. The audience is requested to follow the mental mapping of a 3-dimensional shape — that of a cube — along with the musicians. More »
When I Was A Plant v. 2 (Spanish Speaking plant, with climate data)

2019 Toronto Biennale, Main Exhibition space November 14-December 1, 2019, curated by Myung-Sun Kim and Maiko Tanaka. The plant is “speaking,” or expressing the voice of living things, which might otherwise be construed as silent, mute, and passive. The response of the plant and its root system in real time is a manifestation, metaphor of… More »
When I Was a Plant (for multiple plants + performers)

November 14, 2019. Artist Talk, Post Vocal Performance, Tellings, Toronto Biennial. https://torontobiennial.org/programs/miya-masaoka-sonifying-the-plants/… More »
I Am A Plant (response in image + sound)

Materials: philodendron, electronics, wire, video, sound, human interaction. Gutenberg Sound Art Academy, Mainz University, Germany, August, 2019. The symbiotic co-evolution of plants with insects, birds, and parasites resulted in a heightened sensitivity to interaction to other species, and is – in part – revealed in this interactive piece. Additionally, recent research indicates plants communicate with… More »
Singing River So To Speak*

July 6, 2019 Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Canada Ensemble Evolution; Commissioned work, conducted by Steve Schick; flute, clarinet, bassoon, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello. *based on the poem by Maya Angelou, “On The Pulse of Morning”… More »
Listen Ahead traffic signs

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Listen Ahead: Ear Hut

Listen Ahead consists of a series of traffic signs, and the Ear Hut, a small structure that is designed to privilege the ear over the eye… More »
Masaoka Castle Ruins in Japan

The Masaoka Castle ruins are in the mountains in the Ehime Prefecture near Matsumoto. There are Masaoka Family reunions held there every four years…. More »
O Plant!

New work installation with plants and human interaction, Temple Contemporary, Tyler School of Art, Fall, 2018… More »
Monochord

The one string koto, or ichigenkin, is a very rare instrument. Masaoka has studied the ichigenkin with the 4th Iemoto of the Seikyodo Ichigenkin Tradition, Issui Minegishi. She is the great, great granddaughter of Tokuhiro Taimu, the founder of Seikyodo Ichigenkin, who was said to retreat to mountain caves in Japan to meditate, fast and… More »