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Regardless of geographic location or socio-economic status, we are collectively and individually affected by shifting rhythms of solar and lunar cycles, yet unaware of their shapes. When I began comparing, mapping and transcribing these rhythms into visual/sound projects, I was overwhelmed by the unexpectedly emotional, lyrical motifs derived from what at first seemed like repetitive patterns. The music has been performed and recorded for the project by flutist, Jo Brand, whose interpretation invites a sensory awareness of the rhythmic effects on our movements and breaths.
September Etude 2009-2012, September Etudes 2, & Solar-Lunar Suite were exhibited as part of "Radial Patterning" at Cheryl McGinnis Gallery in 2010 and in 2011, George Zhaozhi Xiong used the September Etude music for his video, "Heaven Earth Circle Square." The moon monotypes were published in 2010 as illustrations for Joan Digby's translations of "Moon Haiku" by Prehensile Pencil Publications.
To hear the music, click on the audio button below the images in each gallery. |
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September Etude 2009-2012 for flute and eye |
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September Etude compares moon phase patterns from 2009-2012 by deconstructing calendars from their natural linear progression into sequences based on days of the week. Four vertical scrolls form a grid on which archival digital moon prints wax, wane and rotate. Applying pitches and note values to each phase using a pentatonic scale found in many cultures, I transcribed music from the resulting visual configurations.
Artist George Xiong used September Etude for his 2011 video, "Heaven Earth Circle Square," which can be seen at www.xhstudio.com - you can also see his painting of Brand's performance under the Solar-Lunar gallery.
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Solar Lunar Suite for flute, harp, piano & eye |
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The two opposing processes of mapping statistical information and of aesthetic decisions related to shape, color and dynamics are also experienced in the Solar-Lunar Serenade for flute, harp, piano and eye.
Studying relationships between the movements of the sun, moon, tides, earth and our bodies, I charted sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, as well as high and low tides for each season of 2010. Time ascends for AM and descends for PM in a mirror image -- noon and midnight meet each other in the center.
After measuring concert harp strings, I transcribed the lengths of the vertical lines into harp music, with tide/moon phases and positions for flute, and suns for piano. The collaged images include monotypes made with block printing ink on metal leaf Chinese paper joss.
Special thanks to artist/photographer, Amy Burchenal, for the use of her concert harp and all of her support for the project.
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September Etudes 2 |
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Moon Haiku |
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