The results of the collaboration between Robert Berry and Joan Menapace premiered in Philadelphia for three weeks in May 2002. The music and art installation featured a room bordered by Day Circles resting on music stands - showing paintings as musical scores. At the rear, a monitor showed close-up animations of each of the twenty-two paintings accompanied by their music.
The sound sculptures were positioned in the middle of the room and in the gallery window. Beside the sculpture was an individual CD player with earphones so that viewers could listen to the creature sounds while looking at each piece.
Following is the news release for the show:
ART AND MUSIC TEAM UP IN
INSTALLATION
Ever wanted to "hear" a painting or wonder what sound a sculpture might make? Artists Joan Menapace, painter and sculptor, and Robert Berry have teamed up to present their premiere exhibition of paintings and sculpture with accompanying music and sound atmospheres to be seen and heard at Gardo's Gallery, opening May 3.
Berry, who previously created compositions based on the paintings of the abstract expressionist Jackson Pollack, first encountered Menapace's paintings at her one-woman show in January 2000. Captivated by the rhythm, mystery and varieties of energies emitting from the works, he was inspired to create music in response. Meeting for the first time 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, Menapace agreed to the collaboration.
Both artists used intuitive response as a method for creation. Menapace begins a painting by drawing a 10 inch circle on paper. After meditating on that shape, she uses water and wax media to lay down color, guided by intuition - feelings, thoughts and responses to forms evolving on the surface. Each painting is developed during one hour each day. Each daily painting, or Day Circle, then becomes a visual record of the particular energies of her life that day.
Berry visited her studio several times, looking through her vast collection of daily paintings, initially selecting about 20 Day Circles, based on what he was attracted to and those works which were most non-representational. In keeping with the spontaneous method used by Menapace, he begins composing by randomly reaching into the portfolio of paintings and pulls out the piece for that day.
He states, "I look at the painting and grab the first sound or motif that enters my mind and immediately begin composing from this influence. I limit the palate to a selection of synthesized modules, perform all the parts live, then edit as required without resorting to excess, trying not to overwork the piece. I try to, like Joan does, complete a work in one sitting."
After the first 10 composition were finished, both artists decided it might be fun to see what day circles would evolve from a different method, using music as the source for the paintings. In the fall of 2000, Berry created 12 more pieces and Menapace responded with the companion work in 2001. The group of 22 paintings and accompanying musical pieces will be playing in the gallery along with a video which will provide a visual identifier connecting the music to its painting.
The exhibition will include clay sculptures derived from the Day Circles. The forms resemble creatures and objects that existed in the environments of the paintings and now have been developed into three dimensions. Berry challenged Menapace to imagine what functions the creatures might have and how they might sound if they were actually moving. Both artists went to Berry's studio this past winter and worked together synthesizing backgrounds, voice and music.
This Creature Sounds CD is available for $7.00. Complete 22- piece DayCircles CD is available for $10.00. The DVD is available for $25.00. Prices do not include shipping. Order by email.
Unfortunately, after doing business for two years, Gardo's Gallery closed it's doors in September 2002.
