Virtual Colloquium: Ilā Kamalagharan (ILĀ) – Composing with Quantum

In this Virtual Colloquium session we are joined by Ilā Kamalagharan (ILĀ) for a presentation titled “Composing with Quantum”. The session will be a guided tour of an artist’s journey engaging with multiple disciplines as well as pioneering technology. Ilā invites you to join them throughout their creative process from developing their latest short film Murmur exploring AI, consciousness and grief to composing with the world’s first quantum synthesiser (Q-Synth) and integrating biogenetic materials into the composition process (the quantum symphony of biology).

Multifaceted artist and producer, ILĀ’s work traverses ethereal non-binary vocal timbre, dense sonic textures and quantum data sonification. Their work explores fluidity from personal identity through to socio-economic systems with a focus on physics, philosophy and emerging technologies. Their upcoming film MURMUR is a collaboration with Ai-Da (the first humanoid robot artist), Imogen Heap, Guy Sigsworth, Bishi and Portrait XO created using pioneering AI tools.

ILĀ has performed globally with recent commissions/collaborators including Turner Prize 2023 winner Jessie Darling’s MISERERE, Loomaland’s Robot Swans, Kindred VR, the European Space Agency & Kent Refugee Action Network (Little Amal). As co-founder and director of legendary choir London Contemporary Voices, ILĀ has worked with over 20 Grammy winning artists including Alt-J,  Imogen Heap and U2 as well as two BBC Proms, the Harry Potter Play soundtrack and several iconic fashion shows for designers such as Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger. In 2022, they co-founded Trans Voices, the U.K.’s first professional trans+ choir. 

Celebrated as a music industry changemaker, ILĀ sits on the Ivors Academy Future Sound Experience Council, are a member of Earth/Percent Music Committee, a Redcliffe Advisory ambassador and a PhD supervisor and research partner (AI & Music) at University of Sheffield.  ILĀ is co-founder and creative director of Maison Mercury Jones, the UK’s first (and only) trans+ queer POC led music branding agency working exclusively with composers from under-represented backgrounds.

The Virtual Colloquium this semester is organized in cooperation with Goethe-Institut’s Studio Quantum. The Zoom link to join the Virtual Colloquium will be the same for all sessions: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82954605489?pwd=VP3XBDzVogeuQtLWaXbWEFpm9ObxiQ.1
Meeting-ID: 829 5460 5489
Kenncode: 079532