Visual language.

Upon listening to Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station, I was inspired to create a mid-century modern piece that utilized a limited color palette.

Skyler Hagner developed this composition for eight musicians (an “octet”) while he was in transit - which informed the aesthetic decision to abstractly visualize road and rail.

Working with the composer to understand the structure of the piece, a minimalist visual language was developed which came to life through animations that visually transcribed the music.

This piece was created in 2020, during the height of the pandemic when musicians were forced to migrate to their digital platforms because live performances in-person were no longer an option. We saw this project as an opportunity not only to reimagine how one could be creative with virtual recordings but also as a means to honor the artistic integrity of the work and the musicians themselves.

We “see” each musician as shape and color which gives the viewer something to attach to - engaging them through the entire length of the piece.

One can’t create an animated piece that visualizes music without recognizing the work from artists like Oskar Fischinger. Though my work is original and was inspired by personal sketches created by the composer, it was also influenced by Fischinger’s Study No. 8 (1931) and An Optical Poem (1938). Preceding Fischinger was Hans Richter whose work will also inspire you if you enjoy abstract cinema.

Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station was officially selected for "MASTER OF ART" Film Festival (2021), MEDIAWAVE International Film and Music Gathering (2021), and World Music Festival.