We know that attention to the natural world can open our eyes to new ways of seeing. Have a look at this lovely little one minute video. The creator, Brazilian artist Jarbas Agnelli, says, “Reading a newspaper, I saw a picture of birds on the electric wires. I cut out the photo and decided to make a song, using the exact location of the birds as notes (no Photoshop edit). I knew it wasn’t the most original idea in the universe. I was just curious to hear what melody the birds were creating.”
Original enough for me, in spite of the artist’s protestations, and a reminder, in a society focused on the visual, to listen in ways I’ve never even thought of. But I can’t definitively identify these birds in silhouette. Any good South American birders to help me out? I’m thinking an Icterid, perhaps the Shiny Cowbird?
Meanwhile–Peace, love, and birdsong.
Nancy Guppy // Sep 16, 2009 at 7:36 PM
You guys totally blow my mind! I love it!
Tamsen Spengler // Sep 16, 2009 at 7:57 PM
HOpe you do some more! What do chickadees sound like? Love it. Thanks.
Birdsong // Sep 18, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Heard about this on NPR, and that it isn’t the first time… you can probably find who else has done this in their archives. Lovely photo, though, isn’t it?
liz kohenberg // Sep 23, 2009 at 6:38 AM
this is so beautiful .. and what an interesting way to see the pattern of birds on the wires. I will be trying to sing those patterns the rest of my life, I think.
Surprising how harmonic this was, no dissonance in the chords.
ha1ku // Sep 23, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Well done!