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Wednesday 19 January 2011

Conducting Music

Conductor: a substance or body capable of transmitting electricity, heat, sound, etc

I have been searching obsessively through you tube today for footage of pianists and conductors that focuses only on their movements and facial expressions, rather than panning out to include an entire orchestra and audience. I want, as on the rare occasion I have seen live performances, to just watch them, or more specifically what happens to them as they perform. Rather than dance or visual art it is these performers that make me think of what it is like to draw music, and who I feel I have a strange connection too.

I like to imagine the two performers below are responding to the music, rather than controlling or creating it. In fact how much is creating and how much is a response to the sounds they generate? It is sometimes hard to believe one persons movements are creating that sound, and at some points even the performers themselves look surprised to hear it. While watching, I wonder if every movement they made could leave a trace, a mark, to become a record of the way that music has taken possession of them, what would it look like?



Monday 10 January 2011

Drawn to the Beat Preparations

Happy New Year!

It's the start of a busy month for me, with preparations underway for Drawn to the Beat on the 27th of January at Band on the Wall, several workshop projects underway, and some drawing when I can squeeze it in. I have been trying out ideas for Drawn to the Beat with Dancer Gemma Connell, Musicians Paul Balcombe and David Johnson (who will be playing live at the event) and music and dance students at Salford University (Where I am in residence) Here are a few images to show you how things are going, and a taster of what you might expect to find at the event.

Music and Dance Students at Salford University

Music and Dance Students at Salford University

Music and Dance Students at Salford University

Music and Dance Students at Salford University

Dancer Gemma Connell
Gemma's Music drawing made with her feet

Musicians Paul Balcombe and David Johnson

Musicians Paul Balcombe and David Johnson

Musicians Paul Balcombe and David Johnson
To see all the images
http://www.flickr.com/photos/multisensory/sets/72157625620533239/with/5323756226/