Week 1- music4art- Tuesday Sept 10 2013

In this first week CVS is introduced through making marks whilst responding to music & sound.

Rational :- to break down pre-conceptions with reference to cultural expectation of visuality through the use of analogy and metaphor (basic visual elements having sonic equivalents).
The majority of  these learners are culturally conditioned to accept orchestrated/organised sound which does not immediately or directly mimic, imitate or echo environmental ( natural and man-made) sounds as  "music"  yet this same culture expects its visual manifestations to be definitive, descriptive and literal ( representational, figurative, illusionistic), to have narrative and conclusions.
By creating a studio workshop where "music" and sound emanate from outside their cultural mainstream is carefully listened to, the learner may experience a sonic space which removes them further and further from the familiar and predictable. By responding to this aural exploration with a visual mechanical activity that confines itself to elemental mark-making (dot &line), the learner will be engaged with the fundamental and basic origins of visual making, a visual tabula rasa.
Perceived levels of skill are challenged in these exercises where an educational parity of esteem is endeavored.
From this blank slate the learners will go on to explore and develop both their skills and understanding.
Each episode of Music/Sound is accompanied by an activity- active listening with mark-making or active listening without mark-making. Group discussion and response is a vital part of this first immersive experience.

We started again with listening to Steve Reich's "Drumming Part 1" and this was followed by discussion on what visual imagery, emotional response etc was experienced.
Then working with diluted black emulsion on paper using brushes and sticks, the learners responded to Part's "Spiegel im Spiegel".
"Hado" by Amina Aloui and "Kali... " were first listened to, then a visual response was made whilst re-listening.
A discussion on difference between the two pieces followed.
"Save That" by Eric Satie followed as they responded on first listen.
"John Cage on Silence" video was shown and a brief discussion before "4.33" was shown followed by lively discussion.

Day 1

Media – paper, ink

Tools – soft-hair brushes, palette, water jar, cotton rag, sticks, twigs.

Music              Time                Composer-Performer                          Activity

1.Drumming I-            17.30   Steve Reich                 listen, visualize, discuss.   
2.Spiegel im Spiegel - 10.22    Arvo Part                    dot & line / ink wash on paper.
3.Hado -                      1.55     Amina Alouia                                                  listen only.
4.Kalimankoudenkov -5.10     LeMystereDesVoixBulgares                           listen only.
5.repeat of no.3              as in 2. but now informed by previous listening                                                                                               
6.repeat of no.4             as in 2. but now informed by previous listening
7.Save That -               3.12     Erik Satie                                 continuous mark on paper

8. On Silence               4.17     John Cage   on Youtube                      listen & discuss.

9. 4.33                         4.33     performed by William Marx watch & discuss