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PAINTING SOUND: A Case Study in Fostering Creativity and Collaboration Across the Arts
KNOXVILLE INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION

Katherine Benson’s research focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration and fostering ways of bringing together diverse artistic communities. Her projects have been sponsored by multiple grants from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School.

Katherine is also the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Knoxville International Piano Festival and Competition and the Artistic Director of The Paramount Chamber Players.

PAINTING SOUND

A Case Study in Fostering Creativity and Collaboration Across the Arts

Presented as a Lecture Recital at the University of Tennessee Knoxville

and at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP)

About PAINTING SOUND

This project commissioned seven visual art students to create original works of two-dimensional art in their media of choice. Each original work of art was created in response to an assigned piece from the solo piano repertoire.

To document the creative genesis of each new work of art, the artists were filmed live in their studios while creating their original work in real-time.

The live film footage of the artworks’ creations was edited into seven short timelapse films designed to be shown during a live performance of the full concert program. This ultimately culminates in a unique recital and gallery exhibition experience that showcases the real-time creative process of each artist in tandem with the piece of music that inspired the artwork.

Music, Visual Art, and Film came together in a unique collaborative experience

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TAKEMITSU Rain Tree Sketch II, Oil on Wood
(29’’ x 25’’), by Mera Ragsdale — TAKEMITSU Rain Tree Sketch II, Oil on Wood (29’’ x 25’’), by Mera Ragsdale

SCRIABIN Vers la flamme, Oil on Canvas
(36’’ x 24’’), by Ashley Ekstrum — SCRIABIN Vers la flamme, Oil on Canvas (36’’ x 24’’), by Ashley Ekstrum

RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit
I. Ondine, Lithography/
Watercolor
(16’’ x 24’’), by Dannielle Trevino — RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit I. Ondine, Lithography/ Watercolor (16’’ x 24’’), by Dannielle Trevino

RAVEL Le Gibet, Oil on Canvas
(24’’ x 18’’), by William Rerick — RAVEL Le Gibet, Oil on Canvas (24’’ x 18’’), by William Rerick

RAVEL Scarbo, Oil on Canvas
(54’’ x 40’’) by Lilly Saywitz — RAVEL Scarbo, Oil on Canvas (54’’ x 40’’) by Lilly Saywitz

RACHMANINOFF “Lilacs,” Op. 21 No. 5 & “Daisies,” Op. 38 No. 3, Linocut Relief Print
(13’’ x 11’’), by Tori Barrett — RACHMANINOFF “Lilacs,” Op. 21 No. 5 & “Daisies,” Op. 38 No. 3, Linocut Relief Print (13’’ x 11’’), by Tori Barrett

RAUTAVAARA Piano Sonata No. 2, “The Fire Sermon”, Oil and Chalk on Canvas
(28’’x 22’’), by Hannah Kearns — RAUTAVAARA Piano Sonata No. 2, “The Fire Sermon”, Oil and Chalk on Canvas (28’’x 22’’), by Hannah Kearns

Art Gallery

Each work of art was created in response to a solo piano piece

TAKEMITSU Rain Tree Sketch II | Oil on Wood (29’’ x 25’’), by Mera Ragsdale

RACHMANINOFF “Lilacs,” Op. 21 No. 5 & “Daisies,” Op. 38 No. 3 Linocut Relief Print (13’’ x 11’’), by Tori Barrett

RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit II. Le Gibet, Oil on Canvas (24’’ x 18’’), by William Rerick

SCRIABIN Vers la flamme, Oil on Canvas (36’’ x 24’’), by Ashley Ekstrum

RAUTAVAARA Piano Sonata No. 2, “The Fire Sermon” Oil and Chalk on Canvas (28’’x 22’’), by Hannah Kearns

RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit Ondine, Lithography/Watercolor (16’’ x 24’’), by Dannielle Trevino

RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit III. Scarbo, Oil on Canvas (54’’ x 40’’), by Lilly Saywitz

Knoxville International Piano Festival and Competition

Now in its 3rd year, the Knoxville International Piano Festival and Competition takes place every spring at the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

This annual event brings together nearly one hundred pianists for a weekend of competitions, concerts, and masterclasses, including 75-80 competitors and participants from around the world, celebrated guest artists and clinicians, UTK and regional piano faculty, and student and local volunteers from UTK and the Knoxville area.

World-class guest artists who have been featured include Arthur Greene, Chu-Fang Huang, Sofya Gulyak, Artina McCain,

Shichao Zhang, Kristofer Rucinski, Marianna Prjevalskaya, Nathan Cheung, Kristian Klefstad, Michaela Kovaceva, Ryan Fogg.