Around the time I was exploring creating the Super-Sound Sensors, a friend, Sue, was talking about Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Sue referenced Beethoven’s piece because it was played at the funeral of a mutual friend, Sarah. Sarah’s choice of Ode to Joy for her funeral felt so poignant because she was acknowledging at death the joy she had experienced in her life.
“Ode to Joy” also brought up memories of a YouTube video I had seen of a flash mob event in Nürnberg, Germany. The video features a choir of singers and musicians emerging from a crowd while singing the song. I was mesmerized by their performance.
Music transports me, often taking me through a range of emotions that span from grief, to great joy and exhilaration. I read recently that some neurologists believe that the human proclivity to sing and drum and make rhythmic sounds was the precursor to language. Episode 8 references how life expands through sound and light. The Super-Sound Sensors fully surrounding the trunk of the Tree of Life was my way of showing how joy can make life richer and more full.
Acknowledgment:
To Sue Ries-Lamb, for her insights in how to improve this work and for her encouragement to share it with others.