ICMC BOSTON 2025
Online Listening Room
Curiosity, Play, Innovation - A 50th Anniversary Celebration of Creativity in Music, Science, and Technology
June 8-14, 2025
ICMC BOSTON 2025: Online Listening Room #7, #8
ID#: 84
Recursive Radiance (2025) ; 9:00
by Juan Carlos Vasquez & Zhonghao Chen
Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University
Recursive Radiance explores the intersection of tradition and modernity through a four-channel acousmatic soundscape. The composition draws its material from the guqin—a Chinese zither revered for its meditative and philosophical depth—using recordings of Cai Zhen You (Wandering in True Essence) and guided improvisations. Daoist concepts of “wandering” (you) and “divine radiance” inspire its fluid, organic structure. Through advanced techniques like Fab synthesis, granular processing, and spatial sound diffusion, the piece transforms the guqin’s raw acoustic textures into intricate, immersive soundscapes. The composition unfolds from unmodified guqin recordings to densely layered sonic abstractions, culminating in a return to its acoustic roots imbued with digital resonances.
Juan Carlos Vasquez & Zhonghao Chen
Dr. Juan Carlos Vasquez (www.jcvasquez.com) boasts a remarkable trajectory as an award-winning composer, video game researcher, and academic. His pieces, ranging from spatial audio works to immersive interactive experiences and game art, have been featured in over 30 countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He earned his M.A. in New Media from Aalto University in Finland and subsequently completed both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Composition and Computer Technologies from the University of Virginia. Babel Scores publishes his scores, and his music is distributed by Naxos, MIT Press (US), Important Records (US), and Phasma Music (Poland). Vasquez is sponsored by Genelec (FI) and is a member of the Society of Finnish Composers.
Zhonghao Chen is an award-winning artist, academic, and curator based in China and New Zealand. His research explores the intersection of movement, materiality, imaging phenomenon, narrativity, curatoriality, ludicity, and technology. He has over 20 years of trans-cultural experience as an artist, curator, and educator. He exhibited at prestige venues, such as Ars Electronica, Christchurch Art Museum, the Physics Room, Hanshan Museum, Johnathan Smart Gallery and so on. His works are in major public and private collections globally.
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ICMC BOSTON 2025 can be accessed IN-PERSON and REMOTE). ICMA Members at the time of registration will receive a 25% discount.
Early Bird Registration: pre-May 1, 2025 (15% discount)
Regular Registration: post-May 1, 2025
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