Handspun, The Role of Collaboration and Embodiment as Compositional Process—A Transdisciplinary Perspective

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the process of creating Handspun. In order to meet this aim, collaboration, embodiment, and transdisciplinarity were identified as the primary aspects of the creative process. Different forms of working relationships arose between myself, musicians, and artists from other disciplines. Embodiment of extra-musical elements took place and formed part of a compositional decision-making process. Through the lens of transdisciplinary theory insight into how my music might connect to the extra-musical to form an autonomous synthesis is gained. Collaboration, embodiment, and transdisciplinarity are contextualised in respect to my practice through an investigation into different forms of working relationships and a view of Handspun as a work of music theatre. A case study into the process for creating Handspun reveals the nature of collaborative working relationships and the range of extra-musical elements that I embodied. The case study will also consider Handspun from a transdisciplinary perspective. I interrogate my compositional process and its products through practise-led research, to these ends.