COLORATURA

AUDIOVISUAL ART

Tonight’s Performance

I am an audiovisual musician and artist who uses a one-of-a-kind wired paintbrush interface called Coloratura to create art and music simultaneously. The electronic nature of the Coloratura interface requires me to use an electrically conductive material as my canvas, which initially limited my artistic exploration. However, this constraint inspired me to explore new approaches to surface design incorporating water, an inherently conductive element.

I was led to the ancient Japanese art of suminagashi, or "floating ink." This water marbling technique, dating back to the 9th century, involves delicately dipping a pigment-filled brush into a container of water, forming intricate, abstract concentric circles that float on the surface of the water and ebb and flow with its movements.

When the design is complete, it can be transferred to fabric, paper, or almost any porous surface to permanently capture the unique pattern.

Water is a delicate surface, subject to the slightest vibrations, thus, painting on water either requires complete control of the outside environment (sealed windows, no music, no speaking), or complete surrender to said environment. The former results in consistent, replicable works of art, but the latter results in a unique piece of art and a transcendent experience for the artist.

I prefer the latter approach; I embrace the art of suminagashi as a transcendent, meditative practice. I yield wholeheartedly to the flow of the water, letting the vibrational energy of the environment around me dictate the final pattern.

Additionally, I add my own vibrational energy to the practice; I sing onto the surface of the water, letting my breath move the pigment around into abstract patterns. In this manner, I am able to incorporate a visual representation of my voice into the final design.

Silent Auction

The pieces created this evening will be auctioned off from February 1 at 7pm until February 3 at 11:59pm. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to KC STEM Alliance.

Please visit https://airauctioneer.com/coloratura-tim-murphy-gallery/ to access the auction site.

Artist Statement

I am an artist rooted in music; I intertwine art and sound together through my innovative instrument, Coloratura. This bespoke musical interface uses paintbrushes as electronic instruments, each corresponding to a specific paint color and musical note, enabling me to create analog paintings and digital music simultaneously. My practice explores the fertile intersections of art, music technology, and the human experience. I create immersive, synesthetic experiences that celebrate our shared humanity and the joy of creation.

My journey from musician to artist is rooted in my desire to delve into the inherent synergy between visual art and music, using innovative technology as a bridge to seamlessly weave the two disciplines together. Drawing inspiration from the visionary works of Kandinsky, Klee, and other abstractionists, my goal is to craft a visual language for music - one that tethers the ephemeral nature of sound to the tactile and visual medium of color and form, enabling the expression of art sonically and music visually.

An integral part of my creative process is improvisation. Rather than meticulously planning every canvas and composition in advance, I create space for spontaneity. Each stroke I paint creates a dual simultaneous output - one visual and one auditory, prompting me to decide, in the moment, whether to respond to the color or the note as I make my next brushstroke. This process pushes me beyond the comforts and constraints of traditional representational art and formulaic music theory, urging me to explore the raw foundational principles of form, harmony, tone, and composition that are inherent in both domains.

My live performances and finished pieces reflect my core belief that the journey of creation is equally as significant as the final product. I invite audiences into my intimate process of creation, revealing the beauty and vulnerability of synesthetic artistic expression and emphasizing the journey over the destination. This approach reasserts the vital value of the human element in art, and counters the growing detachment from the process of art in the wake of emerging technologies. My work with Coloratura serves as a catalyst for a creative voyage, a process that encourages daring artistic decisions and an escape from comfort zones. I aspire to create beautiful, magical experiences that evoke awe, wonder, and delight. In doing so, I hope to inspire others to embark on their own unique creative journeys.

Workshops

In addition to live performances, I offer tailored workshops and interactive sessions for various groups, including schools, therapy centers, corporate teams and community organizations. These workshops introduce participants to the Coloratura experience and provide unique opportunities to explore creativity in a supportive, inclusive environment. Read more about previous workshops and events here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ‘Coloratura’ is an Italian term that literally means “coloring” or “to color”. In the musical world, the term is used to refer to vocal trills and ornamentation used by classical/operatic singers.

    Many of the terms we use in reference to art or music (e.g. chromatic, form, harmony, scale, composition, texture, tone) overlap both disciplines and the name of this project reflects this relationship.

  • Electricity! Each paint brush is wired to a circuit board that connects wirelessly to a computer. Each brush is assigned to an individual note in the musical scale; when a brush touches the canvas, it triggers a note on the computer.

    I use music production software to add various effects to the notes and to loop multiple musical phrases on top of each other.

  • For most of my life, my primary artistic focus has been music, but I’ve always been interested in the relationship between visual art and music. I am fascinated by people who have synesthesia–people who are able to see sounds or hear colors.

    I don’t have synesthesia, but I developed Coloratura as a way to recreate this phenomenon and create my music in an innovative way.

    Ultimately, I want to connect with my audience and provide them with a multi-sensory dynamic experience that will make them think deeply about the parallels between color and sound.

  • Determining the color of each note was one of the most difficult parts of this project! When I began developing Coloratura, I used a scale developed by Alexander Scriabin.

    As I was painting, I found that some of the most beautiful color schemes sounded horrible when “played” together, and some basic chords looked hideous when interpreted visually. I wanted to find a scale that would create a beautiful balance in color and sound.

    After a great deal of trial & error, I decided to use a modified color/music scale, based on a system developed by artist Steve Zieverink. Of all the scales I researched, it was the most visually and musically harmonious.

  • I would love to see more visual & performing artists incorporating Coloratura into their practices to create unique works of art.

    I’m also interested in developing Coloratura as a tool for art/music therapy, since it has played a therapeutic role in my life.

    To accomplish these goals, I’m actively seeking out people in the art, music, and STEM fields who can provide technical support, research and development ideas, performance opportunities, networking opportunities, or financial assistance.

    If you’re interested, please email me at camryivory@gmail.com or fill out the contact form.

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