Pitting human performer against machine improvisor, bad decisions (2019) for chaosflöte and AIYA shows a more playful and mischevious side of the machine. Three different scenes within the piece reflect different angles, different scenes of the 'identity' of the machine. It is referred to in a partially personified way, but ultimately its formlessness eludes our attempts to describe it. As the performer navigates the virtuality of the piece, she tries to make the machine “behave”…but bad decisions teases the notion that, rather, machine foul play and the unexpected disruptions brought on by technology can be more interesting inspiration for a broader palette of chaotic expression.

composition/programming/performance by Melody Chua
in collaboration with XUAN, visuals