Inspired by Jean Baudrillard’s thoughts on the hyperreal, Simulant [a neologism made from the words “assimilate” and “simulate”] is a short, dense demonstrative model which acts as a self-referential simulacrum: an image or semblance of itself. Like two mirrors facing each other, the reflection is endless, the image emptied of referent. This perception of the work suits the medium: electricity has been synthetically reproduced to masquerade as sound. The referent (acoustic sound) has been evaded.

[xi-90]

Composed in March, 1990.

Premiere

• November 2, 1990, Montréal musiques actuelles / New Music America, Acousmonium: Concert 6: Électro clips, Théâtre Les Loges, Montréal (Québec)