Musical Composer’s Mind Remains Composing Music Three Years After Death

Alvin Lucier, a highly esteemed experimental composer, continues to push the limits of creativity even posthumously, through a provocative installation named “Revivification” at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. This project, developed in partnership with artists Nathan Thompson, Matt Gingold, and Guy Ben-Ary, along with neuroscientist Stuart Hodgetts, delves into the convergence of life, death, and human creative expression.

Lucier, celebrated for his groundbreaking compositions based on the principles of physics and sound, provided a sample of his blood before his death in 2021. This biological material was utilized to fabricate cerebral organoids—structures that mimic a developing human brain—by reprogramming his white blood cells into stem cells.

In this exhibit, the organoids are contained within an incubator at the heart of the display, signifying an “in-vitro brain” that encapsulates Lucier’s legacy. The organoids emit electrical signals that trigger mallets to strike 20 brass plates positioned throughout the gallery, producing sounds that resonate with Lucier’s distinct investigation of acoustics and auditory experience.

Although the artwork lacks conscious intention, as cognitive neuroscientist Indre Viskontas points out, it provokes deep inquiries regarding the creation of art beyond one’s life span, confronting conventional ideas of agency and authorship. “Revivification” encourages viewers to reflect on whether the installation represents a continuation of Lucier’s artistic path or an entirely fresh creation.

The installation can be witnessed in Perth until September 21, 2025, prompting attendees to reassess the boundaries and heritage of human creativity.