Tess Oldfield (b.1992) is a sonic/spatial transformer/synthesizer/composer. They are currently exploring computational composition by designing digital extensions for acoustic instruments. Tess’ work examines the cultural contexts of singing and the interaction between industrial and biological systems, investigating how technology both augments and amplifies the body. Their work spans various mediums, such as sound, video, performance, and installation. Building digital extensions for found instruments extends their voicing abilities as a performer, transforming tools into elaborate transducers and digital/analog prosthetics.
Tess holds an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in Digital + Media and has exhibited their work throughout the US, including ACRE Projects, Yale Sculpture Gallery, the New Bedford Art Museum, Provincetown Art Museum and CyberArtsBoston. They have participated in residencies at ACRE and Bemis Center as the Sound Art and Experimental Music Resident. Oldfield is currently a Creative Science Track member of New INC’s art and technology incubator program at the New Museum as well as a Visual Arts Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown MA. They teach at the Rhode Island School of Design in Experimental Foundation Studies and Art & Computation departments. They live and work in Providence, Rhode Island.
