Interpretation - Translation

In February I'll be off to Goddard College for the fourth of five semesters of graduate studies.   I have, as many artists have, found my way  - circuitously - to the theoretical meat of my art practice.  Identity theory, communication theory, and the idea of translating expression between disciplines all figure into my work.  This coming semester I'm really interested in delving back into the whole area of translation -- if I create a work in one discipline, what does that work become in another discipline?  And how do the theoretical constructs that form the foundation of the original work figure into translated versions of the work?  Are the theoretical strands the most important part of the work?  Is the translator the only thread that remains intact between the works?  Or is it possible that viewers/experiencers of the works would find the unifying stories on their own - without benefit of explanation offered by the creator of the work(s).

The first time I started working, in depth, with translation was with four poems by Sylvia Plath.  I created four short classical music movements that express my understanding of Plath's works.  I then worked with a choreographer to create four dance works to accompany the music works.  I found the whole process fascinating and challenging.  And I found that the theoretical and academic pathways inherent in the project are calling to me again.  So, in the coming semester I plan to work on a project similar in many ways.  The original work I am creating is a conceptual visual art piece.  From that I will then create musical work.  My hope is to have the opportunity to create in the third discipline - movement.

So - that's it for now.  Ready to work!

Peace!