"'Web Phases' explores my interest in complexity theory, otherwise known as 'chaos theory'. Complexity theory, as its most basic, proposes that very complex behavior is generated by very simple initial conditions. Based on the user's actions, the speed of their network connection and the density of traffic on the Internet itself, very different musical performances are generated each time a piece is 'played.'

The creation of 'Web Phases' arose from my ambivalent feelings about interactive art. I find it interesting in theory, but usually unsatisfying in practice. In most cases, the freedom of choice implied by the interactivity is an illusion, the user selects from a large number of paths, all essentially leading to the same place. The goal of this work is just the opposite: the user is given a small number of choices, but these simple initial conditions can lead to a wide variety of outcomes. It was very important to me that some of the possible outcomes could be perceived by the user as 'bad' or 'wrong'. This, I feel, is one of the elements of true interactivity - without the freedom to make mistakes, there is no freedom."