Re: John Whiney

I recommend John Whitney's 1980 book "Digital Harmony" for a good
introduction to his film work with computers and his cinematic
philosophy. Whitney is/was a neo-Pythagorean who thinks whole number
ratios are visually perceptible as well as audible. His abstract films
have a very perceptible compositional structure -- at one time David
Rothenberg considered writing a 'grammar' for one of them.

Unfortunately, Whitney does not discuss his early work with war-surplus
mechanical analog computers and linked pendulums in this book. He or his
brother also used the pendulums to create electronic music (called
Pendulum Music), some of which accompanied a production of three plays
by the science-fiction and fantasy writer Ray Bradbury in the 60's in
LA.

Ivor Darreg (under the name of Drarreg) collaborated with the Whitney's
to some extent in the late 50's or early 60's. John's sons Michael and
John attended UCSD as undergraduates in the 60's.

Whitney's work and approach definitely has xenharmonic implications -- I
recommend looking into it.

--John