Alan Cook

Alan Cook

Higher Degree by Research Candidate

Elder Conservatorium of Music

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Alan Cook is a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at the Elder Conservatorium of Music whose research pursues a contextual approach to anthropophonic sound. He follows sounds as they circulate through various networks, processes, and infrastructures, and then transforms those encounters using formalised algorithmic techniques.
Through his research Alan seeks to unify narrative, field recordings, site specific data, mathematics, and sculpture. He explores how electro-mechanical sounds interact by developing compositional strategies that create abstractions of anthropophonic sound.

As a current Doctor of Philosophy candidate, I am exploring electro-mechanical sounds in the Onkaparinga district that occur through human activity ecosystems.  Compositional processes are being developed to sonify data that are repeatable and flexible capturing the machinery and soundscapes shaped by human land use in the region. Various approaches to the presentation of the aural phenomena that emerge from these complex ecosystems are also being developed.

My current research brings together archival recordings, scores, and artefacts to document a range of human processes. Ultimately, it aims to create a foundation for future research into anthropophonic sound and the discovery of new sonic relationships through interdisciplinary soundscape composition.

Previous research interests include practice-led investigations into the relationships between instrument, compositional frameworks and in situ performance.   Strategies have included the placement of Sonic Creatures into landscapes via Geocaching and the use of portable electronic music systems (Introduced Species: Biodiversity in a Musical Ecosystem), as well as the creation of acoustic responses to historic photographs (Transient Sound: An acoustic response to photographs of 20th Century Port Noarlunga).  In Re-sounding Ngangkiparri: Reverberations of Complex Biographies a series of sculptures accompanied soundscapes documenting the Onkaparinga Estuary, presented as a gallery installation.

  • Live Performance of Creative Works
    Year Citation
    2004 Cook, A. (2004). Der Schlaf (4 mins) [Performance] Adelaide Fringe (No. Of Pieces: 4 mins) [Performance]. Adelaide Fringe.
    2003 Cook, A. (2003). Emanations (12 min) [Performance] Adelaide Fringe (No. Of Pieces: 12 mins) [Performance]. Adelaide Fringe.
    2002 Cook, A. (2002). Form and Influx (10min) [Performance] Red Door Series, Adelaide. (No. Of Pieces: 10 mins) [Performance]. Red Door Series, Adelaide.
    2001 Cook, A. (2001). Piano and String Quartet (12mins) [Performance] SoundCloud (No. Of Pieces: 12 mins) [Performance]. Little Theatre, University of Adelaide.
    2001 Cook, A. (2001). Octave Displacements: 2nds and 7ths. (12 mins) [Performance] Old Strings New Works, Little Theatre. (No. Of Pieces: 12 mins) [Performance]. Little Theatre, University of Adelaide.
    2001 Cook, A. (2001). Bitters Neat. (10 mins) [Performance] Red Door Series, Adelaide. (No. Of Pieces: 10 mins) [Performance]. Red Door Series, Adelaide.
    1999 Cook, A. (1999). Three Piano Pieces (5mins) [Performance] SoundCloud (No. Of Pieces: 5 min) [Performance]. Little Theatre, University of Adelaide.

  • Original Creative Works
    Year Citation
    2022 Authors: Cook A. Title: Transient Sound: An Acoustic Response to Photographs of 20th Century Port Noarlunga. Description: 3 x 2-sided postcards of ‘now and then’ photographs in an envelope containing links to sound files in SoundCloud.. Description: N/A. Extent: A5 postcards in envelope and link.
    2014 Authors: Cook A. Title: (2011). Works. Description: Folio of Works in book form.. Description: N/A. Extent: A4 and A5.
    2009 Authors: Cook A. Title: (2008). Works. Description: Folio of Works in book form.. Description: N/A. Extent: A4 and A5.
    2007 Authors: Cook A. Title: (2007). Works. Description: Folio of Works in book form.. Description: N/A. Extent: A4 and A5.
    2004 Authors: Cook A, Brooks D. Title: Multiplicity [CD]. Description: N/A. Extent: 2 x 50 min.
    2004 Authors: Cook A, Brooks D. Title: Multiplicity [CD]. Description: N/A. Extent: 2 x 50 min.
    2001 Authors: Cook A, Barnacle A. Title: Old Strings, New Works [CD]. Description: N/A. Extent: 50 mins.

  • Recorded/Rendered Creative Works
    Year Citation
    2023 Authors: Cook A. Title: Transitions: points and people – Cities and Memory – Global Sound Map. Description: N/A. Extent: 18 mins.
    2023 Authors: Cook A. Title: Transitions: points and people – Cities and Memory – Global Sound Map. Description: N/A. Extent: 18 mins.
    2023 Authors: Cook A. Title: My Robot Puts Me to Sleep – Cities and Memory – Global Sound Map. Description: N/A. Extent: 11 mins.
    2023 Authors: Cook A. Title: My Robot Puts Me to Sleep – Cities and Memory – Global Sound Map. Description: N/A. Extent: 11 mins.
    2021 Authors: Cook A. Title: 10 Electronic Works – (AC Electronik) SoundCloud.. Description: N/A. Extent: 10 Electronic Works.
    2021 Authors: Cook A. Title: 6 Electro-acoustic Works – (AC Sonik) SoundCloud.. Description: N/A. Extent: 6 Electro-acoustic works.
    2020 Authors: Cook A. Title: 18 Acoustic Recordings and Renderings – (AC Acoustic) SoundCloud. Description: N/A. Extent: 18 Acoustic Recordings.

  • Curated or Produced Public Exhibition or Events
    Year Citation
    2023 Cook, A. (2023). Resounding Ngangkiparri: Reverberations of Complex Biographies. Gallery sound and sculpture Installation supported through funding by the Onkaparinga City council and the Saurbier House Artistic Residency programme. (No. Of Pieces: 12 Installation over a 3 month period) [Exhibition]. 2023.
    2023 Cook, A., & Fernandez, E. (2023). Perfect Imperfections. Site installation in a 19th century building. Electronics and Slide projection. (No. Of Pieces: Looped electronics and slide projection) [Exhibition]. 2023.
    2023 Cook, A. (2023). Fidget. Installation as part of Fleurieu Art Festival. Artefact and Soundscape. (No. Of Pieces: Looped artefact and sound installation) [Exhibition]. 2023.
    2022 Cook, A. (2022). Introduced Species: Biodiversity in a Musical Ecosystem. Description: Cards deposited in Geocaches distributed in Onkaparinga Estuary (SA) containing links to SoundCloud account. To be played in situ. (No. Of Pieces: 9 Geocache sites) [Exhibition]. 2022.

Onkaparinga City Council - Sauerbier House Artistic Residency

  • Community Engagement
    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2024 - ongoing 2024 Field Recording site visits Scientific Community Engagement Various -
    2023 - ongoing 2023 Field Recording site visits Scientific Community Engagement Various -
    2022 - ongoing 2022 Field Recordings Site Visits Public Community Engagement Various -
    2021 - ongoing 2021 Field Recordings Site Visits Public Community Engagement Various -
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