BEN DOWLING: THE PATH OF PEACE
STUNNING, INNOVATIVE “VISIONSOUND®” DUALDISC (CD/DVD)
An exploration of peaceful elegance by
Pianist Ben Dowling & Visualist Mark Wagner
Presenting an integrated multimedia collaboration of music and fine art
In the first DualDisc (CD/DVD) of a multimedia series, Visionsound presents The Path of Peace, to be released June 12, 2007. An artistic collaboration, the disc combines the contemplative piano music of Ben Dowling with original paintings and drawings by Mark Wagner. The Path of Peace is an event in music industry history: the next phase in the technological evolution of integrated arts. The ambient artwork itself features 53 minutes of surround-sound audio with wide-screen multimedia. It defies categorization: The Path of Peace must be experienced.
Keyboard artist Ben Dowling, whose roots are in classical and jazz, has developed a unique, minimalist piano technique specifically for this work. A “singing” melodic touch and novel pedal work are joined with a harmonic design that crosses effortlessly between diatonic and modal structures. “I needed to develop a different way of playing to take advantage of the 5.1 surround field—surround-sound is allergic to too much motion,” explains Dowling. “For years I’ve tried to capture the open, suspended quality of the piano – like the experience of improvising in a dark concert hall. Finally, technology has made that possible. I can safely say that The Path of Peace is one of the finest recordings of piano I have ever heard.”
Visual artist Mark Wagner is of the few traditionalists awarded a National Endowment of the Arts grant for early experiments in computer-generated art. Using oil, chalk, pencil and even hot glue, Wagner synchronized his own creative Vision Quest with Dowling’s music in an unfolding, multi-layer video-scoring style. The resulting energy and emotional depth forward his self-described mission of healing: Re-Enchanting the World Through Art. “The idea of creating something counter-culture and counter-anxiety is very appealing to me,” says Wagner. “I want to be part of the medicine—the way of beauty, the path of peace.”
“Art is the cure,” confirms Dowling. “It is one of the few human activities that can change our perception–and thereby the quality of our lives.” The artists envision practical applications for personal inner peace in health, therapy, hospice, incarceration and post-traumatic care as well as, more broadly, consciousness raising for an increasingly warlike world. “These are times when it’s vital for artists to consider the environment for which we create,” says Dowling. “This is a work about peace, that doubles as a great way to get there.”
The Path of Peace balances artistic brilliance in vision and sound with technical mastery and innovation, captured in a product design that beautifully embraces a profound and timely idea.
About Visionsound Innovative Arts
The aptly named Visionsound has contributed to many key developments in integrating music and technology, winning many accolades and awards. From R&D for the Korg synthesizer company, to the creation of unique sound for top entertainment clients including Michael Jackson and Madonna, Visionsound is at the leading edge of integrative developments. New media and interactive projects include: the Golden Eagle winning documentary A Place to Stand, featuring Patrick Stewart for the United Nations 50th Anniversary, and Powershift, featuring Cameron Diaz for the California Science Museums environmental initiative.
Visionsound Innovative Arts is a label of VISIONSOUND® INCORPORATED. For e-mail updates and information regarding Visionsound current and future productions, promotions, tours and repertoire, please visit www.visionsound.com
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CONTACTS: Max Horowitz: Crossover Media
212-465-2444
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