Diptychon

Date
2013-12-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract

"Diptychon" is a visual and musical exploration of the effects of the commodification of identity on one’s soul. The video begins with symbolic images of the psychological world. This leads into the heart of the piece, which depicts images of storefronts and merchandise to represent the process of the commodification of identity. These images repeat themselves and break apart into increasingly smaller split screens, resulting in an image of a man covered in plastic and money.

The underlying basis, the soul, of the music is the harmony from Bach’s “Chaconne” from his "Violin Partita No. 2." The string orchestra and electronics gradually disrupt the harmony and the solo melodic violin line, adding various layers—a four-part canon, pitch and rhythmic layers, layers of voice recordings—that escalate into a climactic twelve tone chord. This recedes into a coda that captures the essential musical identity of the piece.

Description
Degree
Master of Music
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Composition, Video, Music, Electronics, Johann Sebastian Bach, Chaconne, Andreas Gursky, Video art
Citation

Gillespie, Kenya. "Diptychon." (2013) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/76769.

Has part(s)
Forms part of
Published Version
Rights
Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
Link to license
Citable link to this page