Composer working in Compositional Linguistics, his work is mainly to do with the technology and philosophy of speech. Performer (voice), since 1989 with Machine for Making Sense and most recently Chris Mann and the Impediments. 1999 Artist in Residence, Harvestworks and RPI. His commissions include: Astra Choir, John Cage, Composers Forum, Paris Autumn Festival, Australian Biennale, Radio France, Ars Electronica, Radio Telefis Eirann, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio, Revue Telematique d'Art Contemporain, Dance Works, Dance Exchange, Lingua, Art et Lectures, Abraxas, Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts, la revue parlée, V2, Australian Network for Art and Technology, Goethe Institut, Shire of Healesville, Anzart, Christian Television Association, Commission for the Future, International Synergy, ABC Staff Union, Australia Council, Perth Institute for Contemporary Art, Festival de la Batie, Sprach Ton Art, Brisbane Biennial, BBC, Taklos Festival, ORF, Urban Aboriginal, American Society for Cybernetics, bobeobi, Adelaide Festival, Experimenta, Interpretations.
His publications include:
Words & Classes, Outback Press, Melbourne 1978.
doin 2s, phon'm, Melbourne 1982 and Artelec, Paris 1983.
Word for word, Christine, New York 1983.
Subjective beats metaphor, NMA, Melbourne 1985.
LA DE DA, collective effort, Melbourne 1985.
The Rationales, NMA/post neo, Melbourne 1986.
da-dum, Glass Box/WA, Melbourne 1987.
of course, collective effort, Melbourne 1988.
Tuesday, collective effort, Melbourne 1989.
Birth of Peace, NMA, Melbourne 1990.
38'37" A Machine for Making Sense, NMA, Melbourne 1990.
Chris Mann and Grammar, Lingua, Iowa City 1991.
On second thoughts, Tall Poppies, Sydney 1994 and O.O. Discs, New York 1994.
Chris Mann and the Impediments, O.O. Discs, New York 1995.
62 Composers on Chris Mann, Frog Peak, Hanover 1997.
Talk is cheap, split, Sydney 1997.
Working hypothesis, Station Hill, Barrytown 1998.
Consciousness, split, Sydney 1999.
chris mann and the use, Lovely Music, Ltd. CD 3091, 2002