Ever think about what music “looks” like? Many songwriters talk about visualizing the shape of their songs. Frank Zappa used to “draw” his music when he composed, visually represent it through arcs and blobs and stretching blips. Martin Wattenberg, as he states on his site “created a visualization method called an arc diagram that highlighted repeated sections of music–or of any sequence–with translucent arcs.” COOL.
The above diagram represents Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Autumn. You can listen to it here.
Of course, as someone who is discovering music (theory, performance, composition and really why I like the shit I like) all over again as an adult, this, I imagine, is how an eleven year old boy feels like when he opens a certain drawer in his father’s dresser while home alone for the first time. It also may be helpful to express my musical ecstasy by providing you with a visual of the guy who introduced me to Wattenberg’s work. My piano teacher, Mike Effenberger:
I mean, look at the dude. He’s obviously a mad genius. (Photo by Enna Grazier at a PMAC fundraising event – p.s. PMAC is AMESOME).
He also happens to be the perfect fit for me as a teacher. Proof being that he knew how much of a visual person I am and that, to make the connection between the seeing and hearing world would be a huge turning point for me as a student, artist and not to get too dramatic here (but it is So. True.) a better fucking human being. If you like smart experimentation rooted in supreme knowledge and curiosity, you should check out one of the 80 projects Mike is a part of. It’ll change how you see and hear the world.
But, back to Wattenberg…
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Martin Lopez and the Technicolor Screen Prints.
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You guys. Can we all just go travel all the time? Like Théo Gosselin and his friends, who are traveling across the USA and making a movie about it. No big deal right? And no big deal that they are taking incredible photographs in the process. This is the perfect blog to spend your not-too-busy Friday on. HFF! Read the rest of this entry »
Beautiful art for a beautiful Friday. Brooklyn based, born in Seoul, and talented for days—that’s Dan-ah Kim for you. Enjoy.
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Now that the London Olympics have (sadly) come to an end, we can all go back to watching crap reality TV. Oh, and getting excited about Sochi and Rio.
After the not so warm reception of the London 2012 logo a while back, it’s nice to see a really beautiful logo waiting in the wings for 2016. Below is a short film about the agency and thinking that went into Rio’s Olympic logo.
Making of Rio 2016 from Tátil Design de Ideias on Vimeo.
I read about Helsinki-based Bond on Graphic Exchange this week. Surely you’ve seen their work on your favorite bookmarking sites. This project is worth featuring because it brings such joy to what can be a daunting place—the children’s hospital. Bond’s manifesto states that they are a “creative agency focused on branding,” and that they can certainly do. Exceptionally well.
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Purple is amazing. So is Aya Takano, who’s exhibiting “To lose is to Gain” at Perrotin Gallery in Paris.
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MADE BY PRISONERS from Surplus Wonder on Vimeo.
Surplus Wonder is an amazing firm. With an amazing website. And amazing work. Take time today to look and play (it’s Friday!!). On the above:
To build awareness of CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility and introduce the website GoCSR.dk Surplus Wonder created “Made by Prisoners” a CSR brand based on the idea: don’t talk about it – just show it. Made by Prisoners launched a series of unique and handmade accessories produced in Copenhagen prisons by Danish prisoners. The fashion items were introduced during the Copenhagen Fashion Week august 2010.
RAD.
Chinese photographer Zhao Huasen photographed hundreds of cyclists passing by him on their daily commute. He digitally removed their bicycles in photoshop and left behind some pretty cool hovering people and shadows.
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Stacey Page transforms these old wallet sized photos into some of the most beautiful and expressive objects I’ve ever seen. Visit Castell Photography Gallery between now and the end of January to experience Stacey’s work in person.
It is a resurrection, perhaps allowing a little fame to a discarded identity.”
- Stacey Page
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