With MIA
María Inés Aguirre (MIA)
There's a long history of painted keyboard instruments, but MIA is the first artist to have turned a superb Steinway concert grand piano into a three dimensional abstract painting which seeks to combine the sculptural form of a piano with the essence of music that is played on it. The name 'Dancing Soul' was inspired by the brilliant fusion of dance, music and visual art created by Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes.
MIA's sense of the connection between music and colour goes back to her childhood, when she often painted while her mother, a gifted pianist, played Mozart and Beethoven. This is one of the reasons why, for her, each colour expresses a sound and why 'Dancing Soul' is the culmination of her exploration of the relationship between music and painting.
"The wonderful painted Steinway by María Inés Aguirre (MIA) featured in this book, marks a culminating moment in a tendency that is increasingly manifesting itself. The colours and forms she has discovered to clothe this superb instrument express the soul of the music that is performed on it. Rather than looking for ways to decorate an instrument, as most of her predecessors have done, she has looked for ways to express its inner spirit"
Edward Lucie-Smith (London, 2012)
Foreword to forthcoming book about "Dancing Soul"
Steinway gave MIA complete creative freedom in how she painted the piano. The only condition was that she should paint it at Steinway Hall. This involved turning part of the show room into a studio, but enabled visitors to follow her progress and meant Steinway's technical team were on hand to help and ensure the painting did not compromise the piano's performance as an instrument.
The piano was painted with oil paints made by Michael Harding, whose paints are used by artists including Howard Hodgkin and David Hockney. Michael's support and advice - and the intensity of pigment in his paints - were critical in achieving the vibrant look that MIA wanted.
Months later, once the paint was dry, the piano was taken to Kings Place where five outstanding pianists, Alexandra Silocea, Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva, Juan Gallego-Coín and Julian Joseph brought 'Dancing Soul' to life with their enthusiasm and wonderful music.
To see a video of Alexandra's performance on the "Dancing Soul" please click here.
More about MIA please click here.
Photos courtesy Michael Hutchinson.
There's a long history of painted keyboard instruments, but MIA is the first artist to have turned a superb Steinway concert grand piano into a three dimensional abstract painting which seeks to combine the sculptural form of a piano with the essence of music that is played on it. The name 'Dancing Soul' was inspired by the brilliant fusion of dance, music and visual art created by Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes.
MIA's sense of the connection between music and colour goes back to her childhood, when she often painted while her mother, a gifted pianist, played Mozart and Beethoven. This is one of the reasons why, for her, each colour expresses a sound and why 'Dancing Soul' is the culmination of her exploration of the relationship between music and painting.
"The wonderful painted Steinway by María Inés Aguirre (MIA) featured in this book, marks a culminating moment in a tendency that is increasingly manifesting itself. The colours and forms she has discovered to clothe this superb instrument express the soul of the music that is performed on it. Rather than looking for ways to decorate an instrument, as most of her predecessors have done, she has looked for ways to express its inner spirit"
Edward Lucie-Smith (London, 2012)
Foreword to forthcoming book about "Dancing Soul"
Steinway gave MIA complete creative freedom in how she painted the piano. The only condition was that she should paint it at Steinway Hall. This involved turning part of the show room into a studio, but enabled visitors to follow her progress and meant Steinway's technical team were on hand to help and ensure the painting did not compromise the piano's performance as an instrument.
The piano was painted with oil paints made by Michael Harding, whose paints are used by artists including Howard Hodgkin and David Hockney. Michael's support and advice - and the intensity of pigment in his paints - were critical in achieving the vibrant look that MIA wanted.
Months later, once the paint was dry, the piano was taken to Kings Place where five outstanding pianists, Alexandra Silocea, Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva, Juan Gallego-Coín and Julian Joseph brought 'Dancing Soul' to life with their enthusiasm and wonderful music.
To see a video of Alexandra's performance on the "Dancing Soul" please click here.
More about MIA please click here.
Photos courtesy Michael Hutchinson.
