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A local painter, composer and film-maker are inviting islanders into a world in which you can see sound and listen to colour.
The three Jersey artists will be showcasing the results of their unique collaboration next week as they explore how musical, and painting, composition are really not so different.
Produced by ArtHouse Jersey, the ‘Sound of Colour’ event documents the artistic encounter between well-known painter Jason Butler and local musician Jack Chown.
Pictured: Jason Butler's new collection 'Where Our Shadows Were' provided the stimulus for Jack Chown's new music compositions (Todd MacDonald).
Jack told Express that, due to him having a form of synaesthesia – a neurological trait that merges the senses – the relationship between sound and colour is part of his everyday life.
“I experience an uncontrollable association between sound and colour. However, as a creator this is the first time I’ve properly considered that experience whilst creating work, which has been truly fascinating," he said.
The ‘Sound of Colour’ project saw Jack spend three days in Jason’s studio as he was finishing off the work shown in his latest exhibition, ‘Where Our Shadows Were’. Jack tracked Jason’s movements as he worked on his canvases and ultimately transposed those gestures into music.
Pictured: Painter Jason Butler opened his studio to composer Jack Chown and film-maker Todd MacDonald as the three worked towards this multi-disciplinary showcase. (Todd MacDonald)
Using specialist software and apps, Jack was able to create an entire soundscape generated directly from Jason’s brushstrokes.
At an event later this month, the audience will be able to hear the results of this cutting-edge approach to composition, watch a short documentary made by Jersey-born film-maker Todd MacDonald who documented and facilitated the process, and view Jason’s latest collection of paintings.
Jack has also composed a piece in response to two of Jason’s latest works, which will also be played at the event.
Pictured: Composer Jack Chown says that his experience of a form of synaesthesia allows him to contemplate the association between sound and colour. (Todd MacDonald)
Jason said the project also allowed him to explore the implicit connection he’d made between sound and colour, as he often listens to music whilst he paints.
"Letting the feel and atmosphere of a particular piece of music permeate over time has helped me when trying to realise how I want my paintings to be perceived," he explained.
Commenting on the value of inter-disciplinary artistic collaboration - one of ArtHouse Jersey’s main priorities - Jason said: “There is no doubt I will benefit from the collaboration. There is nothing like working with people who share your passion and have an instinctive appreciation of each other’s work.”
Video: A trailer made by Jersey film-maker Todd MacDonald who now lives and works in London making arts documentaries.
Jack added: “I think a lot of creatives could learn from similar cross-pollination!”
He told Express that he hopes the audience will walk away from the event reflecting on “the association between sound and colour, but also the way in which different disciplines interact and how we can all learn from each other through collaboration and discussion.”
‘Sound of Colour’ is on for one night only on 24 October at 18:00 in Jason Butler’s studio, 10 Commercial Buildings.
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