HPSCHD: Multimedia Composition

Cage, John, and Lejaren Hiller (et al.). HPSCHD: Multimedia Composition. Premiered 16 May 1969, Experimental Music Studios, Assembly Hall, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.[1] Ticket, poster, and/or program art by Gary Viskupic also relevant.[2][3]

For fuller introductory discussion, see Wikipedia article linked above in note 1. For the Viskupic graphic and links to related matters, see note 2. From the Illinois Distributed Museum entry for John Cage:

In 1967, Cage left New York for a visiting professor position at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Cage’s partner Merce Cunningham also had several visiting positions with the university before. Cage worked diligently at the University through 1969, culminating with his most known composition: HPSCHD. This was an involved multimedia composition. Working in collaboration with Lejaren Hiller, Calvin Sumsion and Ron Nameth, HPSCHD incorporated static visuals, film components, and complex technical programming.

HPSCHD linked the gap between technology and art on a grand scale. A theatrical display of 8000 slides, 40 films, 52 computer-produced tones, and seven harpsichords commented upon the happenings of the late ‘60s: counterculture, political insubordination, postmodern philosophical movements and the growth in technology.

RDE, finishing, 6Ap24