Using a combination of “simple drawings and sparkling animation” alongside a live orchestra, French illustrator Grégoire Pont projects his artwork in real time to the music in a process he calls Cinesthetics. On June 19, Pont joins the Artosphere Festival Orchestra for their “Beethoven Masterworks” concert, where he will perform during Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral.” Pont took a moment to answer a few questions for What’s Up! in advance of his very first concert in the United States.
Q. What is your relationship with Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony?
A. Oh, it’s the memory of an old LP my father used to play over and over in the living room. So I see it as one of the roots of my passion for classical music.
This symphony is the celebration of the nature and I saw it as the opportunity to illustrate a primitive love for nature.
Q. How do you think/hope the combining of visuals and music affect the audience’s connection to both mediums?
A. This question is very important to me. I never want my illustrations to disturb, to prevent the audience from listening to the orchestra. When I draw live I just have the feeling that I highlight the music.
Q. Is there any amount of improvisation involved in your animations?
A. I like to see myself as a soloist! I have to learn every note of the piece. I don’t have much time to improvise. It happens, though. But for 90 percent of the program, everything is written on an imaginary score I have in mind.
Q. Does your inspiration this performance come solely from this piece of music? Or are you inspired by any other elements in your performances?
A. Every concert is a new creation. And as I said before, this concert is so very important to me. I have the chance to show my work to an American audience! I want to give the best. For this Beethoven Pastoral, I will be playing with ink lines on paper, drawing birds, flowers and insects… But it’s just the start — many surprises will come!
FAQ
Artosphere Festival
Orchestra:
Beethoven Masterworks
WHEN — 7 p.m. June 19 WHERE — Walton Arts Center in
Fayetteville COST — Sold out INFO — 443-5600,
waltonartscenter.org