Project Requiem: The Seven Movements Photographed By Jonathan Simms

As regular follows of the our blog will know, last week saw the culmination of an interdisciplinary sound visualisation project in which motion-capture data of an orchestra conductor was transformed into physical works of art.  An official summary of Project Requiem will follow soon, but I couldn't wait to share these portraits of the seven resulting sculptures, as photographed by UCA photography lecturer, Jonathan Simms.

Requiem from an original Maya model by Anita Gill

Dies Irae from an original Maya model by Joey Ku  

Offertorio from an original Maya model by Sasha Hart

Sanctus from an original Maya model by Tom Beg

Agnus Dei from an original Maya model by Tom Beg

Lux Aeterna from an original Maya model by Sasha Hart

Libera Me from an original Maya model by Michael Smallwood

Project Requiem: Seven Sculptures On A Purfleet Lawn

 

This isn't the official Project Requiem write-up, but rather some eye-candy to whet your appetites!  The short version is this: on a scorching July afternoon, the seven sculptures derived from a conductor's movements of Verdi's Requiem were installed on the lawn of the Royal Opera House's High House Production Park.  The sculptures dazzled under perfect blue skies!  They looked utterly gorgeous, as these images should prove.   Getting this project from start-to-finish has been a real collaborative effort, pulling in a host of different skillsets, techniques and processes.  I have many individuals to thank, but Ethan Shilling, if you're reading this, you're pretty amazing, and Tim Hall - wow! - you did it!

Project Requiem: 'Sanctus' - A Sneak Peak

'Sanctus' - photography by Jonathan Simms

In truth, this first week of July 2014 is a sort of creative fever-dream! Not only is the course team busy launching New Designers this week, Project Requiem comes to fruition on Thursday too. Very soon now, the seven sculptures we've conjured from motion-capture data, Autodesk Maya and sheet steel will be installed on the lawn of the Royal Opera House's High House Production Park in Purfleet. The sculptures will augment a live performance of Verdi's Requiem as performed by 300 singers, and conducted by Arie van Beek, from whose original movements our sculptures derived.

These vibrant portraits of the sculptural piece deriving from CGAA alum Tom Beg's 'Sanctus' 3D form come to us courtesy of UCA Photography lecturer, Jonathan Simms - all I can say is 'pow!'

'Sanctus' - photography by Jonathan Simms

'Sanctus' - photography by Jonathan Simms