Discovering the Music of Photography

SANTA FE, NM - You’ve seen landscape painters step back from their work to get the “big picture” before returning to the canvas to work on the details. Well, photographer Grant Johnson’s work is based on ultra-high resolution images of remote, undisturbed land taken from about seven miles up! From so far away, mountains, riverbeds, forests, and sand dunes have the appearance of richly textured, remarkably colorful organic shapes. In the words of the artist: “My fascination with these images is their abstract beauty as compositions and their resemblance to abstract expressionist painting.” The artist will be present during the program.

During the program, we’ll explore these extraordinary images, and your thoughts and impressions will be the basis for musical realizations of the artwork by conductor and arts educator Oliver Prezant and violinist Carla Kountoupes, clarinetist Jerry Weimer, and cellist Katie Harlow. 

“Carla, Jerry, and Katie are some of my favorite musicians for this kind of special performance,” said conductor and arts educator Oliver Prezant. “Highly trained, musically flexible, and great improvisers. We’ll be rehearsing, yes, but the musicians won’t see the artwork until the day of the performance. By the end of the program, I’m able to conduct a piece using the artwork as a musical score. And because we’re asking the audience what they think, everyone’s a part of the creative process!"

The program takes place on Saturday, June 3, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. at Strata Gallery, 418 Cerrillos Rd. in the Design Center. For more information, call 1-877-466-3404 or email support@holdmyticket.com.

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Please support us with an additional donation at checkout! Opus OP Arts and Education Projects provides unique workshops and presentations for teachers and their students, supports musicians and creative artists in our community, and presents programs like this one for audiences of all ages.

The Partners in Education Foundation for the Santa Fe Public Schools is the 501(c)(3) Fiscal Sponsor of Opus OP Arts and Education Projects. Your charitable donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 

Thanks to our event sponsors: Sallie Bingham, Sherry Parker, and Don and Andrea Fineberg. 

Visit www.oliverprezant.com for information on other Opus OP presentations and workshops. 

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Program and artists subject to change. 

This event is a production of Opus OP Arts and Education Projects, Oliver Prezant, Executive and Artistic Director.

Photo Credits:

Conductor and arts educator Oliver Prezant: Ruthanne Greeley.

Violinist Carla Kountoupes: Will Wilson (Diné).

Clarinetist Jerry Weimer: Nacha Mendez.

Cellist Katie Harlow: Joseph Sabella.

Artwork by Grant Johnson, from the Undisclosed Locations series. Dye Sub-Print on aluminum panel: image courtesy of the artist.

Oliver Prezant, in-class workshop, Discovering the Music of Visual Art, featuring Wall With Mirror by artist Mary Vernon: photo by Clarissa Riggins.