"How does music look?  How does an image sound?"

 

These synesthetic questions are the starting point for a multi-media collaboration between composer and pianist Inessa Zaretsky and me.

 

In exploring the questions, I have created visual works, in video, animation and static images, in response to music composed specially for the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival by Ms. Zaretsky, who is also the festival's Director and a featured performer.  These dynamic images will be projected onto the musicians on the stage during performances.

 

As an extension of this project, I invited my York College (City University of New York) students to explore the question as well.  Using a technique from the early years of photography they created camera-less images: original images made by placing objects of varying opacity on photographic paper in the darkroom before exposing to light. Students considered their own “performative actions” when making these multi-layered photographic compositions and drew inspiration from music that will be performed at the festival.

 

As artist-in-residence for the 2017 Festival, I am very excited to be collaborating with Ms. Zaretsky and taking part in this unique musical and artistic event.

 

-Sally Boon Matthews

www.sallyboonmatthews.com                              Images by York College CUNY students