Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Weekends Are Taller Than Weekdays



Reflectionist Marcia Smilack takes pictures of moving water when she feels a synesthetic reaction. 

“I taught myself to take pictures by shooting whenever I experience a synesthetic reaction to what I see: if I experience a sensation of texture, motion or taste, I take the picture. If the reflection elicits the sound of cello, I shoot the picture. I photograph reflections on moving water. It works like this: I watch the surface of the sea until I experience one of my synesthetic responses. When I do, I trust it to be a reliable signal that tells me it is the right time to take the picture, so I click the shutter. Within the creative process, I think of my synesthetic responses as vital messengers that arrive faster than thought to deliver one urgent message which I always heed: beauty is lurking.”


Cello Music


Marcia Smilack captured this picture of the oceans surface the moment she felt a synesthetic experience. The waves coming off the ocean felt as satin on her face.



Vivaldi


Artist Anne Salz painted Vivaldi while listening to The Concerto of Four Violins. While painting she captures the movement, energy, and sound of the music.

“The painting represents the opening of the concerto for four violins. I listen to the music while I paint. First, the music gives me an optimistic, happy feeling and I perceive red, yellow, and orange colors in a great variety with little contrast. It looks like a field of these colors. I perceive the color field as a musical chord. You can compare it with the colors of a blanket or cover made of autumn leaves……The lively movements in the music become a stream of glowing shades of orange. The black structure provides cadence and reveals its significance and character. It is an indispensable foundation for the moving colors. The painting evokes my feelings again when I listen to the music again. I hear the melodies in my mind when I look at it.”


https://welcometonowhere.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/synesthesia-in-art-artists-carol-steen-marcia-smilack-and-anne-salz/

Saturday, November 26, 2016

The Scream



The Scream is an expression of a synesthetic experience.

Munch explained, "I was walking along a path with two friends – the sun was setting – suddenly the sky turned blood red – I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence – there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city – my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety – and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature."

http://www.doctorhugo.org/synaesthesia/art/


Cyto


Dr. Richard Cytowic, George Washington University neurologist, wrote a book called, Wednesday Is Indigo Blue: Discovering the Brain of Synesthesia. This sculpture is Carol Steen's representation of his name.


The Synesthetic Cube


George Sanen is a synesthesia artist who creates these Synesthetic Cubes. Different names are portrayed as different colors in his mind, so he makes these cubes for families or other groups of people that include the colors of the names they gave him.

"The Synesthetic Cube is the result of a series of ideas and motivations to blend a geometric shape seen through Synesthesia while utilizing the colors perceived by correlation to personal names.
Thus the formation of a multi-colored series of bands or other shapes that represent the liaison of a specific group of people, family and friends. In other words, a form of art that has a significantly higher meaning to the observer other than the mere pleasure of observing art for its own beauty.

Having each color representing the name of a person the placement of the color on the cube is done completely at random, or by personal selection or preference."


John Mayer - Gravity and John Lenon - Imagine


This painting was created by synesthete Melissa McCracken when listening to Gravity by John Mayer. She explains that,"the most wonderful “brain malfunction” of all is seeing the music I hear. It flows in a mixture of hues, textures, and movements, shifting as if it were a vital and intentional element of each song. Having synesthesia isn’t distracting or disorienting. It adds a unique vibrance to the world I experience.”



Click on the link below to see more paintings of songs by this artist.