U of M’s eXperimental Improv Ensemble (XIE) is performing Arctic Resonance in Desautels Concert Hall on Jan. 23, blending Arctic research and music in a cross-faculty performance.

In this concert, XIE will play a live soundtrack to footage of scientific research in the Arctic, including clips from fieldwork and drone videos of Arctic whales. The videos are sourced from researchers at the U of M Centre for Earth Observation Science as well as Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 

Aditya Gandhi, one of the co-curators of the performance, explained, “The reason we are collecting [those] drone videos is to […] get a better understanding of population, of different whale species in the Arctic.”

“People are actually going out there at different times of the year to take different kind[s] of videos or samples to understand that population better in real time, rather than just [a] one-time flying over and taking photos.”

Gandhi is a U of M alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and biology, but he has always been interested in arts and music. He wanted to bridge gaps between the arts and sciences, prompting him to approach XIE after attending one of their concerts. 

XIE, directed by composition professor Gordon Fitzell, is an interdisciplinary performance group that performs anything from live soundtracks to multimedia art installations. The group frequently collaborates with other departments, such as architecture and religion. In recent years, it has expanded to supporting social and environmental causes, such as Earth Day. 

Apart from curated scenic footage from the field, Arctic Resonance also features animations of research data, which are reflected in the music.

“One [clip] shows the changing patterns of sea ice, and in general, a message of greenhouse emissions and rapid rate of climate change, et cetera, so we try to express them in some perceivable ways,” described Fitzell. 

“For example, when the scientific data presents itself in a cyclical pattern, we might choose repeating patterns that come around, ideally visually in sync with what’s being presented on the screen. Then we have more subtle elements, [such as] low drones that will maybe express the gravity of a situation.”

The goal of Arctic Resonance is to make Arctic science accessible and fun for all, which is important because papers are published at an “overwhelming rate,” and laypeople can get lost in the academic research.

“Having the video component and the music component can synchronize [information] in a way that that can be understood to most people out there. They don’t necessarily have to be a musician. They don’t have to be a scientist,” commented Gandhi. “The reason why I love this idea and the collaboration in general is because this also allows science to be felt or seen.”

Fitzell added, “While obviously music can’t express minute sophisticated details of scientific [and] Arctic research, I think it’s our hope that we can express and share and bring across in some way the importance of the research. Ultimately, it affects all of us.” 

Arctic Resonance will take place in Desautels Concert Hall on Jan. 23 at 12:30 p.m., followed by a Q & A session. Admission is free.