iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sunday’s matinée paired Orjonikidze & Arsenishvili’s English Teacher w/Gujabidze’s Bakhmaro 2050. Former illuminates why visiting Georgians are so fluent; latter's about a spa town threatened w/development. Gujabidze’s compositing reminded me of Pat O’Neill’s. @bampfa.bsky.social #GeorgianCinemaNow

Susan Oxtoby, Vano Arsenishvili, Nino Orjonikidze, & Anka Gujabidze

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 9h

Orjonikidze & Arsenishvili's A Tunnel: years of footage from a Georgian village on the route of a new high speed train. Central theme: villagers’ disenfranchisement from their lives as they await bulldozing decisions. Beautiful valleys. @bampfa.bsky.social #GeorgianCinemaNow bampfa.org/event/tunnel

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 29/09/2026

If I could recommend only one film from @bampfa.bsky.social's #GeorgianCinemaNow it’d be Elene Naveriani's Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry. Phenomenal performance by Eka Chavleishvili, surprising bursts of unreality, sensitive use of color & framing. Photos from the Q&A. bampfa.org/event/blackb...

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 29/09/2026

Susan Oxtoby’s Georgian Cinema Now launched Weds @bampfa.bsky.social, continues through next autumn. Been to four screenings; phenomenal films, North American premieres, + a delegation of ten filmmakers & advocates from Tbilisi, Berlin, Geneva, & Prague are in town. Photos from the first Q & A.

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Reposted by Eric Theise

McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 26/09/2026

"The central lesson of this cycle is not that Charlie Brown should stop trusting Lucy. It is that Charlie Brown must do a better job explaining why trusting Lucy remains the responsible choice." buff.ly/X2RjqP5

buff.ly

“Charlie Brown Must Stay the Course”: A Football Kick Autopsy Report by the Democratic Party

“While Charlie Brown did once again accelerate toward the ball, miss the ball entirely as Lucy pulled it away, flip backward through the air, and land violen...

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 16/09/2026

New favorite refinery for tonight's #ASynesthetesAtlas @ Et al., San Francisco. $15/NOTAFLOF, 7:30p, w/Nancy Beckman (shakuhachi), Tom Bickley (recorders), Ron Heglin (voice, invented languages), & Petra Zélie (noise). etaletc.com/events #performance #cartography #expandedCinema #OpenStreetMap

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 10/09/2026

Reminder about next Weds' performance @ Et al.: A Synesthete's Atlas w/Nancy Beckman, Tom Bickley, Ron Heglin, & Petra Zélie, part of "Open Net". Come early to check out their bookstore & chat. etaletc.com/events #ASynesthetesAtlas #performance #cartography #expandedCinema #OpenStreetMap

promotional image for the performance containing the same information from the post as well as photographs of the four performers, all overlaid on a map of a fragment of San Francisco

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 03/09/2026

Et al. (San Francisco Mission District) opened up their Sep/Oct programming as "Open Net". I'll perform A Synesthete's Atlas on Wed, Sep 16, w/Nancy Beckman, Tom Bickley, Ron Heglin, & Petra Zélie, but do check out the whole, eclectic series (starts tomorrow) etaletc.com/events #ASynesthetesAtlas

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Reposted by Eric Theise

Lord Chief Justice @lordchiefjustice.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

MATMOS in San Francisco this SATURDAY! Come see us at Gray Area! We will play some unusual stuff, which I guess in itself is not unusual?

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 26/06/2026

Blown away by Christopher Harto's Feb recital: Adams, Ives, Gershwin, Rzewski. ⅓ of my Sunday set: a duo w/him, manipulating maps to improvisation on themes by Ravel. & my set's only ⅓ of the program. sfsound.info #WestOaklandSoundSeries #ASynesthetesAtlas #performance #cartography #openstreetmap

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 25/06/2026

Suki O’Kane & Graham Viegut will perform piece Shahrzad Talebi & I composed for Line Upon Line. West Coast premiere, West Oakland Sound Series; Su, 28 Jun, 7:15p ⅓ of my set & I'm only ⅓ of the show sfsound.info #WestOaklandSoundSeries #ASynesthetesAtlas #performance #cartography #openstreetmap

fragment of the score showing staves for two live percussionists and one pre-recorded electronics track

taking a bow at the piece's premiere: Matthew Teodori, Eric Theise, Cullen Faulk, & Shahrzad Talebi

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 12/06/2026

Had a blast talking w/Greg Scharpen on his KALX/Berkeley Arts in Review program yesterday. Archived at kalx.berkeley.edu/archives/ until 25 Jun 2026, after which a copy'll be on my website. Curious what you think. #ASynesthetesAtlas #performance #cartography #improvisation #OpenStreetMap

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 05/06/2026

Looking forward to talking about my work on Gregory Scharpen's Arts in Review program, Th, 11 Jun, noon-12:30 Pacific. Tried-and-true airwaves @ 90.7 FM or stream from kalx.berkeley.edu @kalxberkeley.bsky.social #ASynesthetesAtlas #performance #cartography #improvisation #OpenStreetMap

A blue cat spinning records w/their tail plugged into a wall outlet yowling "KALX 90.7 FM Berkeley"

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 31/05/2026

Fresh from the image mill: "flyer" for the Beauty Supply (downtown Oakland, CA) performance on 13 Jun w/Fred Lonberg-Holm, Tasya Abbot, Lorin Benedict, Nathan Corder, David Golightly, & Emily Pothast. Details via my email list (erictheise.com/mailing-list/) or DM. #ASynesthetesAtlas #OpenStreetMap

Flyer reads: Beauty Supply Arts / Sat. June 13 / 8pm / $15 NOTAFLOF
Eric Theise (Performance Cartography)
Fred Lonberg-Holm
Quintet: Tasya Abbot, Lorin Benedict, Nathan Corder, David Golightly, Emily Pothast

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 30/05/2026

This guy should not come to my upcoming Bay Area performances. But you should. Jun 13: Beauty Supply Jun 21: Garden of Memory, Chapel of the Chimes (Cloister of Cherubs!) Jun 28: West Oakland Sound Series, Dresher Ensemble Studio Jul 09: Center for New Music Details to come. #ASynesthetesAtlas

A comic book image of an agitated white man with a drafting table behind him saying "Maps, maps, maps! I'm sick of them -- all of them! I can't stand looking at them any more!"

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 21/04/2026

I did laugh out loud when I passed this sign in Bishop, California. Passed, circled back, all the while thinking of friends who have a place out on the Cape.

A road sign saying that Provincetown, MA, is 3205 miles away.

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 18/04/2026

Michael Heizer's Double Negative.

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 18/04/2026

Always ask for a room with a view but don't forget to wander outside as there may be a better one only steps away. Version: Bishop, CA, 18 April 2026.

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 06/04/2026

I promise I pulled over & set the parking brake before taking this photo.

a billboard with a photo of a cow and the text "cud you not text and drive?".

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 04/04/2026

7 days/1250 miles ago CAST premiered #ShahrzadTalebi & my piece for #LineUponLine. Video: Brussels touchdown+liftoff. 7p tonight @ #WaveArchive #Tucson improvised #cartography returns, music w/Jeffrey Gordon Evans, Hannah Joyce, & Steev Hise. #ASynesthetesAtlas #expandedCinema #maps #OpenStreetMap

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 02/04/2026

1 point's not a line, 1 date's not a tour. 9 Apr, performing @ #GuildCinema #Albuquerque w/ #KennethCornell & #CliffordGrindstaff. Been in the Guild's audience, never on stage; thrilled to share w/these 2. #ASynesthetesAtlas #DukeCity #improvisation #expandedCinema #maps #cartography #OpenStreetMap

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 01/04/2026

Post-Austin/CAST I'm touring #ASynesthetesAtlas through AZ, NM, & CO. First up: Sat 4 Apr 2026, #Tucson @ #WaveArchive, loaded program w/locals #JeffreyGordonEvans, #HannahJoyce , & #SteevHise in various configs. #experimental #improvisation #expandedCinema #maps #cartography #OpenStreetMap #foss4g

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 24/03/2026

maps - geography = labels & icons (w/apologies to Niklaus Wirth). dadageek.org/cast #ASynesthetesAtlas

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 23/03/2026

Projection surface @ #dadaLab is 4 screens wide: 2 at back, 2 on sides. For my collab w/ #ShahrzadTalebi I created maps that fill ⅛, ⅕, ¼, ⅓, ½, multiples thereof, & full screen. First viewing in situ; needs tweaks before rehearsals & Sat premiere but pleased. dadageek.org/cast #ASynesthetesAtlas

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 28/02/2026

From North Oakland, California, happy #GlobalScouseDay to all who celebrate.

a bowl of the Liverpudlian favorite, scouse; lamb, potatoes, onions, turnips, carrots, & thyme, w/quick-pickled roasted beets on the side

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 23/11/2025

People’ve deleted my posts elsewhere on this topic, blocked my account. All along, those in a position to address the issue¹ have resorted to hand-wringing & “oh, that’s a shame”. Doubters: my check. #sfcinematheque #lifetimemember #StevePolta #experimentalfilm #avantgardefilm #nonprofit #yearend

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 23/11/2025

In 1993 I gave #sfcinematheque $1500 (3312 in 2025 $) to be a #lifetimemember. #StevePolta denied my annual publications benefit starting 2002 & eventually whittled all promised benefits to zero. #experimentalfilm #avantgardefilm #nonprofit #yearend #bullypulpit

frontside of the 1993 prospectus for #sfcinematheque membership

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 25/10/2025

Stoked to learn that I'll be part of the inaugural cohort (March 2026) of CAST (Contemporary Art & Sound Technologies), a new platform dedicated to supporting experimental creators working at the intersection of sound, music, and visual media. #soundmap_ensemble #lulpercussion #dadageek #atx

CAST (Contemporary Art & Sound Technologies) 2026 Selected Artists Announcement

Selected Visual Artists:
Krista Faist
Britt Moseley
David Sydiongco
Eric Theise
Jonathan Monaghan
Shirley Steele

Selected Musical Artists:
Carolina Carrizo
Stylianos Dimou
Rafael Godoi
Haeun Park
Mathis Saunier
Shahrzad Talebi

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 22/09/2025

Story of The Map Center/Andrew Middleton where I'll perform w/Ed Osborn: thepublicsradio.org/artscape/the... Th, 25 Sep 2025 6:30p preception/7p show $10 general/$8 students NOTAFLOF www.eventbrite.com/e/a-synesthe... #ASynesthetesAtlas @mapcenter.com #experimental #cartography #OpenStreetMap

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 20/09/2025

Favorite map of the trip … thus far. Dish with a Map of Japan 1830-44 Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration @ Philadelphia Museum of Art

front view of plate in plexiglas enclosure

side view of plate in plexiglas enclosure

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 19/09/2025

10 Sep 2025. 8 days, 350 mi ago. Class, informal group @ Penn State Geo by day; Manny’s Performance Space by night. Kris Pylant: what would be useful? Hands+iPad, projected map in background. Bingo. #ASynesthetesAtlas #maps #cartography #improvisation #OpenStreetMap www.geog.psu.edu/directory/kr...

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 14/09/2025

Don't know the next time I (10 Sep) will appear on the same calendar as Jonathan Richman (21 Oct).  I do know I'm performing at #RhizomeDC tomorrow night (15 Sep) on a split bill with guitarist #IvanLiptak.   #ASynesthetesAtlas

Sep/Oct 2025 performance calendar for Manny's Performance Space, State College, Pennsylvania

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 10/09/2025

I find myself having to switch git branches between pieces during a performance. Conceptually it's equivalent to retuning or fitting a capo to a guitar but the consequences when it's done wrong are far more catastrophic. #ASynesthetesAtlas

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 10/09/2025

After speaking to geography classes at Penn State today I'll present A Synesthete's Atlas tonight at Manny's Performance Space. 7p 101 Hiester St #ASynesthetesAtlas @mannysperformancespace @gorintoproductions #experimental #improvisation #expandedCinema #maps #cartography #OpenStreetMap #foss4g

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 03/09/2025

Tristan Turner shared some footage from Sat's Fuse Factory show w/The Hut Improvisers ( #Columbus). Hey #Pittsburgh! • Fri, 5 Sep: speaking @ Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry • Sat, 6 Sep: performing @ Glitterbox Theater #ASynesthetesAtlas #maps #cartography #improvisation #expandedCinema

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 22/08/2025

Haven't encouraged people to sign up for my Occasional Missives; they've been too occasional for their own good. But sent one Sunday. Received it? Hope you enjoyed. Expect to have received it? Check spam. Want future ones? Sign up! erictheise.com/mailing-list/ Sample at: mailchi.mp/7a6a824ebb5d...

mailchi.mp

Occasional Missive #3: It’s been 2½ years?

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 17/08/2025

Tonight! Collaborating with Abigail Hinson and Matt Ingalls, sharing the bill with a trio of Ben Davis, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and Larry Ochs. 7:15 Paul Dresher Ensemble Studio 2201 Poplar St @ West Grand Oakland #WestOaklandSoundSeries #ASynesthetesAtlas

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 08/08/2025

11 Jul 2025: #EdaEr / #Klank.ist's #SonicGeographies, Berkeley. For my AI-assigned trio w/ #GeorgePapajohn (clarinet) & #BrendanLai-Tong (trombone) I replayed GPS wanderings around Twin Peaks, through Grace Cathedral labyrinth, & Oslo. Sound: #PetraZélie. #ASynesthetesAtlas vimeo.com/1102802854

vimeo.com

Sonic Cartographies II: Set I: Trio (A Synesthete's Atlas 037)

George Papajohn: clarinet; Brendan Lai-Tong: trombone; Eric Theise: map manipulations Trio configuration from the first set of Sonic Cartographies II 11 July 2025,…

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 05/07/2025

2nd/4 local shows: Sat 26 Jul, #CenterForNewMusic. 1½ blocks from Powell Muni/BART, Tenderloin. #ASynesthetesAtlas is usually 1 long, structured, collaborative improv but this'll be shorter compositions, solo (maybe a guest or two), + an invented instrument. www.eventbrite.com/e/a-synesthe...

eventbrite.com

A Synesthete's Atlas: Cartographic Improvisations by Eric Theise

An evening of cartographic improvisations using projected, manipulated, digital maps in dialogue with composed and improvised soundtracks.

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 30/06/2025

Been away–NL, BE, DE last autumn; MX, Louisiana, & Texas this year–so a bit sleepy about booking local performances. Four lined up Jul & Aug, each different, the first: 11 Jul 2025 Sonic Cartographies II w/Klank.ist Collective 2727 California St @ Ward, Berkeley erictheise.com/a-synesthete...

An abstract, globe-like form, overprinted with location information contained in the post

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 01/06/2025

The Lab in the round tonight for Bill Orcutt's The Four Louies, a mashup of Steve Reich's Four Organs & Louie, Louie. Willie Winant, at center, above the cheat sheet, held the whole thundercloud together on maracas. Much fun, very glad I was packing earplugs.

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 30/05/2025

Kerouac's #DharmaBums got me interested in mountains & wilderness, Sierra Club got me out into it: first as Service Trip participant, then as cook, ultimately paving the way for my move to San Francisco. Selfie atop California's Matterhorn late summer 1989. Facial hair: poor Scan by Photoworks SF.

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Eric Theise @erictheise.com · 26/05/2025

People grill but I couldn't shake a video of Bay-caught anchovies from my mind. Dubious to claim boquerones are backbreaking work but 2 hrs of standing & gutting did deter me for years. Stool acquired at #Minimo liquidation = improved ergonomics. #HankShaw recipe: honest-food.net/boquerones-r...

oiled anchovies with garlic, chile, and parsley

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