Robert Berry and Joan Menapace first met at her exhibition of Day Circle paintings in January, 2000. Capivated by the rhythm, mystery and varietes of energies emitting from the works, Robert was inspired to create music in response. Standing together in front of one of the paintings, he explained his interest in composing, using abstract paintings for the generating spark, and without ever hearing his work, Joan agreed to a collaboration. "He told me he believes music is capable of holding the viewer's attention and focusing the mind," she said, "allowing the view to enter into a fuller relationship with the painting for a longer amount of time. I know people spend less than a minute with a painting so of course I love this philosophy and I thought we should give it a try."
Robert then composed twenty-two pieces of music, ten of which were based on Joan's paintings, and Joan created twelve day circle paintings responding to his music. In the meantime, Joan was also making ceramic creatures from images found in the paintings. Together they used vocals and music to create imagined sounds that the creatures might make. The paintings, sculpture, music and sounds premiered at Gardo's Gallery in Manayunk in May, 2002. (See Installation for more.)