This AT HOME ART DATE combines music, words, and the sound of things for building fairy tales.
(element one) WATCH:
The trailer for the documentary CODA about the composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.
If you have a subscription to MUBI, CODA is so worth watching.
(element two) READ:
This selection from the play JERUSALEM by Jez Butterworth.
PHAEDRA. You ever see one? Here?
JOHNNY. One what?
PHAEDRA. A real fairy. Or an elf. In this wood? You ever seen one?
JOHNNY. I've seen a lot of strange things in this wood. (Beat.)
I've seen a plague of frogs. Of bees. Of bats. I seen a rainbow hit the earth and set fire to the ground. I seen the air go all still and all sound stop and a golden stag clear this clearing. Four-teen-point antlers of solid gold. I heard an oak tree cry. I've heard beech sing hymns. I seen a man they buried in the churchyard Friday sitting under a beech eating an apple on Saturday morning. When the light goes, and I stare out into the trees, there's always pairs of eyes out there in the dark, watching. Foxes. Badgers. Ghosts. I seen lots of ghosts. I seen women burn love letters. Men dig holes in the dead of night. I seen a young girl walk down here in the cold dawn, take all her clothes off, wrap her arms round a broad beech tree and give birth to a baby boy. I seen first kisses. Last kisses. I seen all the world pass by and go. Laughing. Crying. Talking to themselves. Kicking the bracken. (Beat.) Elves and fairies, you say. (Beat.) Elves and fairies.
(element three) RECORD:
Using the Voice Memo app on your phone, talk a walk outside for about five minutes or more, and record whatever sounds appear. Once you are back inside, sit down and listen to what you have recorded.
Now, write a one-page fairy tale that takes place with your recorded sounds as its soundtrack.
Well done!
I hope you find Ryuichi Sakamoto & The Sound of Things a compelling At Home Art Date.
I curate provocative art dates for you to enjoy solo or with others in your own home. Many of these art dates have online elements combined with supplemental reading, listening, and a variety of activities you can do at home to enhance how you express and experience art. Feel free to forward these art dates to others. Remember to check out the bonus material below.
These art dates are free of charge. However, they do take time, energy, and a lifetime of artistic experience to put together. If you’d like to buy me a cup of tea as a bit of thanks, I’d appreciate your generosity. Buy Pattie a Cup of Tea
You can also learn more about my upcoming online courses, Gimme Culture and Creative Dice here on my website.
Yours,
Pattie
Bonus Material: