Synthetic X-Factor

'We're producing a sequence of poems to be delivered by an artificial voice medium. The playback system will have a sculptural presence in the environment, and the texts that will test the boundary between the embodied voice implied by the poem-form and the disembodied replication of that voice by a machine. Expect haunting shifts between the illusion of an idiomatic, rhythmic presence and an informative, dead-pan absence.'

A project based around synthetic speech production – to produce ‘sound poetry’.

Members: Darren Reed, Paul Elsam, Paul Barker,  Mark Blythe and John Clarke

Notes

Two stages:-

1. Poetry production – pact as provocateur, visiting education institutions (e.g. primary schools) to help pupils create sound poems. Leaders or participants select a single ‘winner’.  Could be grouped by age.
2. Selection: at this stage, any potential voters can access a website and vote ‘X-Factor’ style, with proceeds going to a related charity.

Stage 3 would allow website visitors to create their own sound poem.

Technology

We would specify the initial ‘voice’ – a vocal identity.  However, we are aware that there are numerous cultural considerations to consider.

Resources

• We see this linking in to social media.  Workshop leader/poet would need a laptop with facility for entering and uploading material.
• Website needed or Facebook Page?
• Ability to manipulate ‘identity’ using software, e.g. localised accents or project could be locally situated (e.g. a Yorkshire Sound Poem).
• Identity could be TV personality – e.g. ‘Paul the Weather Man’.  (BBC Local).
• BBC could be approached to broadcast winning poem.