Program Note
Glitchopolis is an electroacoustic composition exploring information overload. Drawing inspiration from the metropolis of London, the piece captures the intense flux of information through countless encounters, dynamic traffic, and bustling construction sites.
Leveraging the expansive sound canvas of an ambisonic surround sound system, Glitchopolis crafts a condensed, morphing auditory landscape using primarily field recordings obtained in London city. The composition unfolds across two layers of musical space: a realistic space featuring intensive sound collages created with field recordings, and an abstract mental space characterised by artificial reverb and granular processing. The mental layer of space serves as a playground for glitching and feedback as analogies for overwhelm. The composition therefore communicates the frequent experience of a “brain crash” or “brain freeze” for individuals dealing with excessive amount of information.
About the Composer
Zhao Jiajing (family name-given name, b. China) is an electroacoustic composer, sound designer, and interdisciplinary artist based in London.
Zhao Jiajing’s artistic practice encompasses sound, installation, and new media, exploring themes such as temporality, technology, digital cultures, and nature. Since 2019, he has been deeply engaged in spatial sound, creating multichannel compositions and installations. His works employ space as both an expressive medium and a responsive instrument.
Zhao Jiajing’s works have been presented internationally at events and venues such as the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival (US), Soundcinema Düsseldorf (DE), Espacios Sonoros (AR), Sound/Image Festival (UK), Musicacoustica (CN), Barbican Centre (UK), IRCAM (FR) , Lisboa Incomum (PT), among many others. As a multi-skilled composer and sound designer, he has collaborated with pioneering theatre groups, performers, and visual artists, creating projects that captivate audiences worldwide. Zhao is also the founder and director of Soundworlds Studio, a London-based immersive sound design studio.
Zhao holds an MA in Information Experience Design from the Royal College of Art and is currently pursuing a PhD in Electroacoustic Music at the University of the Arts London (CRiSAP) under the supervision of Adam Stanović. He is also a mentor and visiting lecturer for the MA in Designing Audio Experience at University College London.