Category Archives: Art

All, Art, Nature, Trees

The sound of tree talk is music

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Years playing on phonograph
Source: Bartholomäus Traubeck
Since I became aware a few years ago that trees audibly mourn when a neighboring tree is cut down, I have wondered what is the sound that a tree makes. In the tree-cutting study I read, the tree’s sound was tracked only by vibration levels, but not sound. Now I’m one step closer to knowing.

In a project called “Years”, artist Bartholomäus Traubeck cut thin slices of tree trunk and assigned to each type of pattern in them, a sound. As a camera mounted on a phonograph machine in the position of needle plays over the patterns, they are translated into sound and my gosh, those sounds are marvellous. Listen …

Traubeck explains:

A tree’s year rings are analysed for their strength, thickness and rate of growth. This data serves as basis for a generative process that outputs piano music based on the year ring data. Those are analyzed for their thickness and growth rate and are then mapped to a scale which is again defined by the overall appeareance of the wood (ranging from dark to light and from strong texture to light texture). The foundation for the music is certainly found in the defined ruleset of programming and hardware setup, but the data acquired from every tree interprets this ruleset very differently.

All, Art, Environment, Nature

Redford in A Walk in the Woods: hiking the Appalachian Trail

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Robert Redford - A Walk In The WoodsI guess this film is not going to be a blockbuster but reviewers say A Walk in the Woods shows beautiful views of protected forest. It helps deliver Redford’s basic message to America: protect our natural treasures, because they’re worth protecting … and by the way, it stars Redford and Nick Nolte.

New York Times reviewer Manohla Dargis shares,

It’s a story about men and friendship, buoyed by (author) Mr. Bryson’s light self-amusement (he refers to his pre-walk years of “waddlesome sloth”) and smooth storytelling that encompasses bite-size histories, expansive lists, blue notes and zoological asides on loons, mountain lions and especially bears. It’s a pleasurable read and Mr. Bryson’s writing does what Ken Kwapis’s filmmaking can’t do, which is take you on the trail so that you too trudge, struggle and soar while observing flora and fauna and man’s inhumanity to each.

Released 02 Sept. Check out more reviews.

All, Art, Biking/Walking, Fun, Happiness, Health, Nature, Sustainable communities, Water

Hudson River Ramble activities: bike, hike, boat, play, sightsee

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Hudson River Ramble activities16 years of fall activities bring thousands out to enjoy the Hudson River Ramble and Hudson Valley in southern New York State. Take a look at through the activity choices in the website and Guidebook and head out to enjoy the culture and natural beauty of this region. There’s truly something for everyone.

Every September, participation continues to grow. ‘Ramblers’ come not only from the Hudson Valley region and New York State, but from other regions of the country as well to discover the riches our Valley has to offer. Whether you are interested in a challenging hike, bike ride or paddle, an inspiring walk through the grounds and homes of some of the Valley’s most notable artists, authors, and Great Americans, a trip back in time to experience the significant role the region played in the Revolutionary War, or a family-fun festival or river exploration event, the Hudson River Valley Ramble truly offers something for everyone!

All, Art, Fun, Happiness

Free admission to 5th Ave museums & 1-mile block party June 9 @ 6-9pm

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Museum Mile 2015One evening a year, nine of the city’s finest museums on Fifth Avenue (aka Museum Mile) open their doors to visitors for free and close down the avenue to traffic for a mile-long block party.

Free Museum Mile Access 6pm – 9pm
Tuesday 09 June 2015

23 Car-Free Blocks
5th Ave btw 82nd – 105th St

Live Bands & Entertainment

Art-in-the street activities for kids

Begun as an initiative to spur the development of new museum audiences and to increase support for the arts during the fiscal crisis of the 1970s, Museum Mile was formed as a consortium by the museums that share the Fifth Avenue address. The first festival, held in June of 1978, was an instant success. Not only did it expose New Yorkers and NYC visitors to an incredible collection of New York’s artistic riches, it also brought together disparate New Yorkers. From the barrios of East Harlem and the townhouses lining the Upper East Side, to the winding streets of the Village and the clustered neighborhoods of the outer-boroughs, people came to celebrate their shared pride in their city. Museum Mile Festival promoted public awareness through increased visibility, accessibility and attendance at all the museums, and brought many New Yorkers to upper Fifth Avenue for the first time.

This traffic-free, music and art-filled celebration fills the street and sidewalks of Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th Street, the mile now officially designated as Museum Mile.

Visit museummilefestival.org