Remembering Pauline Oliveros 1932 – 2016

Dear IICSI-members,

In case you have not heard, it is with great sadness that we wish to inform you that our fellow IICSI researcher and cherished friend, Pauline Oliveros, passed away peacefully, in her sleep, on November 24.

As the many obituaries and tributes that have already appeared make clear, Pauline was an exceptional human who touched people all over the world–each in a unique and genuine way. Her influence on Critical Improvisational Studies is both deep and wide, as is her influence on many other fields and practices, from electronic music to her original philosophy of Deep Listening. Pauline made many important contributions to ICASP and IICSI, particularly through her Adaptive Use Musical Instrument, a free software-synthesizer that allows people with severe disabilities to play improvised music. She published in our journal CSI/ECI, and contributed to our book series. She gave numerous performances, workshops, and conference talks on behalf of IICSI. She taught us how to listen deeply, and to build community, and she will be sorely missed.

IICSI will pay tribute to Pauline’s life and memory at a series of events in late Spring, near the anniversary of her 85th birthday. We will keep you posted with details.

At this time our hearts go out to Pauline’s family and especially to her dear partner Ione, herself a great friend of IICSI.

Sincerely,

Justine Richardson, on behalf of the IICSI team