Peggy team on October 3, 2023
To celebrate the ongoing collaboration between Sofar Sounds and Peggy, we wanted to delve into musical synesthesia: when people hear music and see corresponding colours and shapes, or vice versa.
Vasily Kandinsky, Art Institute of Chicago
Synesthesia is a phenomenon where the stimulation of one sense evokes the simultaneous experience of another. The blend between auditory and visual sensations, perhaps the most well-known form of synesthesia, is particularly fascinating. Imagine listening to a symphony and simultaneously experiencing a burst of vivid colours. Or seeing a painting and hearing a melody in your mind. This cross-sensory interaction has inspired many renowned artists and composers throughout the ages.
Ancient thinkers like Aristotle and Baudelaire alluded to the possibility that our senses were not entirely separate. Aristotle wrote about the interconnectedness of the senses, particularly how they might converge to create a unified perception of the world. Similarly, the poet Baudelaire hinted at a relationship between auditory and visual experiences, suggesting a blurred boundary where one sense could evoke sensations typically associated with another.
While these earlier thinkers posed questions and made observations on the possibility of something akin to synesthesia, it was in the 19th and 20th centuries that synesthesia began to receive focused attention. Advances in both science and art led researchers and artists to probe deeper into the phenomenon. Scientists started conducting experiments to understand the neurological and psychological underpinnings of synesthesia. Meanwhile, artists, particularly those in the avant-garde movement, started experimenting with the fusion of sensory experiences in their works, leading to new forms of artistic expression that played with the intertwining of sound, colour, and form—this period marked a shift from mere speculation about synesthesia to a concentrated effort to understand and represent it.
Famous Historical Synesthetes in Art and Music
Wassily Kandinsky: One of the most celebrated synesthetes, Kandinsky pioneered abstract art. He often spoke of his experiences with colour and sound as intertwined sensations. His paintings, filled with swirling shapes and hues, were, in his words, "visual counterparts" to music. For Kandinsky, every colour had a corresponding sound; blue evoked the celestial tones of a flute, while yellow resembled the brass notes of a trumpet.
Olivier Messiaen: The French composer was considered a genius in music and a vivid synesthete. Messiaen would often describe chords and sequences in terms of colours. His works, such as the Turangalîla-Symphonie, are a tapestry of sound that mirrors a colourful mosaic. He aimed to translate his vibrant visual experiences into auditory masterpieces when composing.
Alexander Scriabin: The Russian composer and pianist held a deep connection between tones and shades. He even conceptualized a keyboard instrument, the "Luce," which would produce colours in conjunction with sound. His composition Prometheus: Poem of Fire includes a part for this visionary instrument.
The Impact of Synesthesia on Artistic Creation
The above artists are recognized figures in synesthesia, but many others have had similar sensory experiences.
Synesthesia isn't just about associating colours with sounds or vice versa. It’s about the combined experiences of multiple senses, illustrating how another can influence one form of artistic expression. Within music and art, synesthesia underscores the broad range of human perception. For artists with synesthesia, it allows them to venture beyond traditional methods and create new artistic interpretations. This approach adds depth to the art world and offers insights into the complexities of sensory experience.
In a contemporary art context, synesthesia highlights the dynamic nature of artistic perception. It suggests a comprehensive way to perceive and interpret the world around us.
Contemporary Musicians and Artists with Synesthesia
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Pharrell Williams: The renowned musician and producer has frequently spoken about his synesthetic experiences, describing how he sees music in colour.
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Lorde: The New Zealand singer-songwriter has described her synesthesia in interviews, mentioning how it aids her songwriting process as she can match musical notes to colours.
Carol Steen: A visual artist who has written extensively about her own experiences with synesthesia. Her work, especially her oil paintings, are directly influenced by the colours, shapes, and movements she perceives when listening to music or experiencing touch.
Carol Steen, “Wandering through My Landscape,” 2022.Dev Hynes (Blood Orange): The British musician has spoken about his synesthetic experiences, detailing how different musical notes correspond to specific colours for him.
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Mary J. Blige: The acclaimed singer has mentioned that she associates music with colours.
Melissa S. McCracken: A painter who visualizes music and sound as colours and translates this perception onto the canvas. Her vibrant paintings offer a visual representation of songs by various artists.
Jack Coulter: An abstract artist who paints his auditory experiences, primarily focusing on music. His works provide vibrant, dynamic representations of the songs or sounds he encounters.
Jack Coulter, "Someone You Loved," 2023. -
Björk: The Icelandic singer-songwriter has alluded to having synesthetic experiences, especially regarding the interplay between colours and music.
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Kanye West: The rapper and producer has spoken about visualizing his music in colours, hinting at synesthesia.
About Sofar Sounds
Peggy x Sofar event in London, 2023
Sofar Sounds is a music events startup founded in 2010. The company organizes intimate, live music performances in unconventional venues, such as living rooms, retail spaces, or rooftop terraces. The concept is to provide a unique and close-up experience for both the audience and performers, stripping away the distractions of traditional concert venues.
A distinctive aspect of Sofar Sounds events is the element of surprise. Attendees typically only know the lineup of artists or the exact location of the event shortly before it takes place. This mystery adds to the allure and ensures that the audience is genuinely interested in discovering new music rather than attending solely to a specific artist.
The company operates in many cities worldwide, providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent and connect with audiences in a more personal setting. We're thrilled to start collaborating with Sofar Sounds to add a touch of the visual arts to events.
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