Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Painting music?


I was intrigued to read about the latest project of German photographer Martin Klimas.

How do you paint with sound? It’s a good question and the answer comes from German photographer Martin Klimas.




He starts by putting different colored paint on top of a speaker over some translucent material, then cranks up the volume.



Martin Klimas - Kraftwerk, 'Transistor' from the album 'Radio-Activity'



The vibrations of the speaker shoot the paint into the air creating beautiful patterns and sculptural forms, and Klimas snaps them with his camera while in flight.



Martin Klimas - Steve Reich and Musicians, 'Drumming'



Each image becomes an abstract portrait of whatever song he plays—from Miles Davis to Kraftwerk.



Martin Klimas - Miles Davis, 'Pharaoh’s Dance' from the album 'Bitches Brew'



The New York Times says he spent six months and about 1,000 shots to get the required results and also that his influences were abstract art and Hans Jenny, a scientist versed in cymatics, the study of waves and vibrations.


There's more at the link; also here and here.

I'm fascinated by the creative vision it takes to imagine something like this, then bring it to fruition. Congratulations to Herr Klimas on a highly original art project.

Peter

2 comments:

Lissa said...

That is flat-out GORGEOUS

Anonymous said...

Blue Man Group did something similar at the last concert I attended. Very cool.
Rey B