Kurt Schwerdtfeger (1902-1994) was a pioneering artist whose innovative work in kinetic art and light sculpture left a profound impact on the world of modern art. His fascination with the interplay between light, motion, and geometry led him to explore the concept of kinetic art, a genre that brings motion and movement into the realm of artistic creation. In his quest to infuse life into static forms, he developed a unique style of creating artworks that could change and transform with the viewer's perspective, inviting an interactive and dynamic experience.
"Reflecting Coloured Light Plays" is a series which masterfully combines geometric forms, mirrors, and light, creating mesmerizing visual spectacles that seemed to defy conventional boundaries of art and perception. Each piece in the series features an arrangement of mirrors and colored lights, meticulously positioned to interact with one another and the viewer. As light reflects off the surfaces, it dances and transforms, creating a dynamic interplay of colors and shapes that evolve with every change in perspective.
Within each movement, I endeavour to create a musical atmosphere which balances and mirrors the harmonious interplay of colour, movement, and geometry.
Compositions
Film and music
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Film and music 〰️
Reflecting Coloured Light Plays (2021/22)
Movement I: Vegative Form
Movement II: Bauhaus - 1922
Movement III: Stripes and Grids
Movement IV: Red Square
Movement V: Hommage à Oskar Schlemmer
Josef Albers, a renowned artist and influential educator, left an indelible mark on the world of modern art with his iconic series "Hommage to the Square." Albers was a master of color theory and an integral figure in the Bauhaus movement, and throughout his artistic career, he continually explored the interplay of colours and geometric forms, culminating in the captivating and thought-provoking "Hommage to the Square."
Debuting in the early 1950s, "Hommage to the Square" became Albers's defining series, showcasing his fascination with the optical effects of color and the complexities of visual perception. Each artwork in the series features nested squares, meticulously arranged in a seemingly simple composition. Yet, beneath the apparent simplicity lies a profound exploration of the relationships between colors and the visual interactions they provoke.
In Albers’ Square, I attempt to captivate audiences with an unconventional musical background tied into the transformative power of color.
Albers’ Square (2022)
The Planets (2023)
Gustav Holst's masterpiece, "The Planets," stands as one of the most iconic and influential orchestral works of the 20th century. This celestial odyssey takes its listeners on an extraordinary musical journey through the solar system, captivating the imagination with its grandeur and cosmic allure.
His fascination with astrology became the catalyst for his ambitious composition, leading him to explore the astrological characteristics associated with each planet in our solar system.
Holst's imagination took flight as he delved into the unique personalities and mythological attributes of the planets. He sought to encapsulate their distinct qualities, emotions, and cosmic essences into music, creating a powerful and evocative sonic representation of the solar system's celestial bodies.
This year, the Guildhall Saxophone Studio teamed up with the EPM studio to honor Holst’ unique idea, and to reimagine his take on the “The Planets.” As we composed the music for the seventh planet from the Sun, Uranus, we took inspiration from it’s distinctive characteristics, such as it’s icy blue atmosphere, extreme cold, and tilted axis and retrograde rotation.