Cantus Arcticus (Concerto for Birds and Orchestra) Op.61: Images Inspired by Music

In 1972, the Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara was commissioned to write a ceremonial piece for the University of Oulu, Finland.  He combined birdsong with orchestral music to create a haunting and evocative sound.

The birdsong was recorded in the Arctic Circle and Finland and includes the calls of the shore lark and a flock of swans.  There are a number of versions available on YouTube but we have chosen this link which includes a slideshow of the music written by Rautavaara.  As the music plays and its magic takes hold, the score becomes a sequence of beautiful graphic images of pattern: drawings of sound.  Alternatively, looking away from the screen and focussing attention purely on the music allows the imagination free reign.

We hope that the music will inspire you to create your own visual responses – for ideas on how to explore drawing and music have look at these exciting resources:

‘A Cheerful Orchestra and Other Ideas for Drawing Music’  by Hannah Coulson

Drawing Music‘ by Sheila Ceccarelli

 


This is a sample of resource created by UK Charity AccessArt. We have over 1100 resources to help develop and inspire your creative thinking, practice and teaching.

AccessArt welcomes artists, educators, teachers and parents both in the UK and overseas.

We believe everyone has the right to be creative and by working together and sharing ideas we can enable everyone to reach their creative potential.


“Flock” at Prospect House School, Inspired by Veronica Lindsay-Addy

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Exploring Watercolour at the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge with AccessArt

part 1: Introduction to Watercolour

The resource describes and demonstrates individual watercolour techniques, and then shows examples of these techniques in paintings from the Fitzwilliam Collection.

The resource describes and demonstrates individual watercolour techniques, and then shows examples of these techniques in paintings from the Fitzwilliam Collection.

part 2: Exploration of Watercolour in the studio

After studying paintings from the collection at first hand and identifying how various marks within the paintings may have been made, teachers undertake their own exploration of working with watercolour.

After studying paintings from the collection at first hand and identifying how various marks within the paintings may have been made, teachers undertake their own exploration of working with watercolour.


‘Dawn Chorus’ by Marcus Coates


A Wealth of Materials in Scrapstores

printmaking with salvaged sticky back aluminium foil, mixed media and cardboard

Make a sketchbook, an ideas book or a travel journal this summer!

pattern and collage a whole school workshop at monkfield primary school

Sculptural Birds in Flight by Teenage Makers

Articulated and Animated Drawings by Teenagers at AccessArt’s Experimental Drawing Class

A Model Studio by Susie Olczak

Making Sea Sculptures at Culford School, Suffolk

Inspired by Joseph Cornell: Making a Decorative Aviary Box

Brave Young Makers: Year Three Pupils at Ridgefield Primary Transform materials into Birds and Insects


Printmaking with Salvaged Sticky Back Aluminium Foil, Mixed Media and Cardboard


Transformation Project: Snippets of Inspiration

Megan Boyd


In a cottage in northern Scotland, Megan Boyd twirled bits of feather, fur, silver and gold into elaborate fishing flies -- at once miniature works of art and absolutely lethal. Wherever men and women cast their lines for the mighty Atlantic salmon, her name is whispered in mythic reverence, and stories about her surface and swirl like fairy tales. With breathtaking cinematography and expressive, hand painted animation, Kiss the Water adheres to and escapes from traditional documentary form, spinning the facts and fictions of one woman's life into a stunning film about craft, devotion, love, and its illusions.
Enjoy the preview of Kiss the Water below - the film is sure to inspire.


Scottish Fishing Fly Maker

In a cottage in northern Scotland, Megan Boyd twirled bits of feather, fur, silver and gold into elaborate fishing flies — at once miniature works of art and absolutely lethal. Wherever men and women cast their lines for the mighty Atlantic salmon, her name is whispered in mythic reverence, and stories about her surface and swirl like fairy tales. With breathtaking cinematography and expressive, hand painted animation, Kiss the Water adheres to and escapes from traditional documentary form, spinning the facts and fictions of one woman’s life into a stunning film about craft, devotion, love, and its illusions.
Enjoy the preview of Kiss the Water below – the film is sure to inspire.

Hubert Duprat


French artist Hubert Duprat worked in partnership with caddis fly larvae to create these wonderful living works of art.


Caddis Fly Larvae

French artist Hubert Duprat worked in partnership with caddis fly larvae to create these wonderful living works of art.

Cornelia Parker


British sculptor and installation artist Cornelia Parker transforms ordinary objects into something compelling and extraordinary.


Manipulating Matter

British sculptor and installation artist Cornelia Parker transforms ordinary objects into something compelling and extraordinary.

Cornelia Parker @ 5×15 from 5×15 on Vimeo.

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Why use Warm Up Drawing Exercises?


The ABC of Tools PDF Download


2. Materials for Design and Technology.


3. Gathering Tools and Equipment for Design and Technology.


4. Getting Started – Thinking of Ideas for your Game


5. Find your Materials for Design and Technology Project


6. Testing, Testing, Testing your Game


8. Sell, Sell, Sell – Promote your Game!


7. Miss, I’ve Finished – Reflecting on your project.


1. Welcome to Tool Box Design and Technology Project: Introduction for Pupils


Tool Box – Notes for Teachers


Making Sketchbooks: An Introduction


Sketchbook Activities, Behaviours & Skills