Abstract:
Collective performance demands a high degree of coordination among otherwise autonomous actions. As such, it is often examined through the lens of synchrony, much like many biological phenomena. Yet, frameworks that treat isochronous time as a ground truth fall short of capturing the nuanced temporal dynamics shaped by interacting musical improvisers. Drawing on a diverse body of work my collaborators and I have developed over the years — from basic sensorimotor coordination tasks in the lab, to beat negotiation in jazz studio sessions, to pedagogical practices rooted in free dyadic improvisation — I will explore how the experience of being and feeling together in time emerges from a dynamic interplay of synchronization and desynchronization across multiple temporal scales.
Bio:
Julien Laroche is a musician and researcher who has spent the past two decades navigating the circular paths between scientific experimentation and artistic exploration. His work bridges disciplines, spanning R&D in sound technologies, consulting in sound communication, and academic research at institutions such as CNRS, the Italian Institute of Technology, and currently the EuroMov DHM laboratory in Montpellier. His core interest lies in the dynamics of interaction and coordination between individuals. More particularly, he focuses on music and dance improvisation as a privileged lens through which to observe and understand creative processes.