­by Stew Mosberg

Like mythological lovers, music and art have been entwined throughout history; one inspires the other, creating emotional responses in all of us. Instruments take on sculptural forms that are as beautiful as they are functional. Taking it a step further, Music in the Mountains (MIM) has asked 11 local artists to allow their imaginations to soar by decorating violins with artwork as a unique way to raise funds for the annual music festival.

“Violins & Vino” will be held Sun., March 24, at 5:30 p.m. at the Toh-Atin Gallery. The evening includes wine, hors d’oeuvres and an auction of the hand-painted violins. Participants will also have a chance to vote on their favorite violin, which will become the featured icon for this year’s MIM programs and promotional material. The winning artist will receive $1,000 and the winning artwork will be auctioned separately at the “Pops Night” benefit,held July 17.

Just the Facts What: “Violins & Vino,” Music in the Mountains’ 27th eason fund-raising event When: Sun., March 24, 5:30 p.m. Where: Toh-Atin Gallery, 145 W. 9th St. Tickets: $50; available at www.musicinthemountains.com or call 385-6820

MIM Board member Jill Ward first heard of the idea of auctioning off hand-painted instruments from a similar event held by the Santa Fe Symphony. Operations Manager Julie Brown and Executive Director Angie Beach subsequently traveled to Santa Fe to attend the fund-raiser to see how it worked. “We learned a lot about the logistics,” said Beach, adding that the symphony raised a significant amount of money from the event. “The Santa Fe Symphony was very helpful to us and even provided us with some resources for an event of our own.”

Adding to the excitement of “Violins & Vino” is a unique silent auction that features five private musical experiences. The winning bidders will have the opportunity to host their own mini-concert. The first of the five exclusive recitals features violin soloist Chloe Trevor plus appetizers for up to 15 guests catered by Hot Tomatoes Café. Number two is a performance by Jonathan Latta & his Jazz Ensemble. The third opportunity has acclaimed violinist Emmanuel Boisvert and renowned pianist David Korevaar. Number four includes a trio of superb musicians: Philip Kramp, viola; Sarah Frisof, flute; and Anne Eisfeller; harp. And number five presents the musical talent of violinist Leslie Shank and Joseph Hagenborn on guitar.

The painted violins, which have been on view at a variety of locations in Durango since March 1, are as diverse in their new form as are the artists who created them. After selecting the participants, MIM suggested that before embarking on their creations, the artists should first consider “what music looks like” and then gave them free reign to use whatever medium they wanted to adorn their violin.

The artists lending their talent to the cause are: Cindy Coleman, Sharon Abshagen, Eileen Fjerstad, Barbara Edidin, Leland Holiday, Elizabeth Kinahan, Mariah Kaminsky, Miki Harder, Paul Boyer, Phyllis Stapler and Dave Sipe.

Challenging as it might be to embellish something as delicate and contoured as a violin, the group rose to the occasion and fashioned extremely different pieces, some literal in their translation, others more abstract. Artist Dave Sipe added his own brand of folk art to his creation, designing a “cow jumping over the moon” fiddle motif combined with a piece of driftwood.

Paul Boyer, photographer and trumpet virtuoso, designed a more literal version inspired by Vivaldi’s “Le Quattro Stagioni” (The Four Seasons).

 

“Looking at Vivaldi’s music rather than listening to it was a real point of inspiration,” he said. “Seeing the graphic presentation of the Inverno (winter); describing people stamping their feet to stay warm, made me see the graphic patterns caused by erosion on the hills around Durango for their rhythmic and musical possibilities. The hills started looking like the music.”

No stranger to the implements used for creating melodious sound, Boyer reflected on his experience during the artistic endeavor, “Thinking about all of the design features that went into the instrument itself gave me a new appreciation for any music that I hear. Every one of those shapes that caused me such anguish in trying to make a decorated violin has a function in sound production.”

Mariah Kaminsky, known for her realistic portraits, jumped at the chance to contribute. “The minute I was asked to be involved, I was hooked on the challenge of it and couldn’t stop picturing what would fit onto that shape and is analogous to both music and what I do. Thinking of famous faces in the world of music, Kaminsky considered the late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti as the perfect personality to grace the violin.

“I imagined that his big singing mouth and beard would play perfectly into the shapes. I am always working to keep things fresh in my portraiture and my decorative painting.  Any project that pushes creative boundaries is always useful in the process of an artist.”

Multi-talented artist Miki Harder explored the “Nero fiddled while Rome burned” analogy and created, “Nero Goes to Phoenix,” a painted metallic bronze violin. As one of the artists who contributed talent to the Pumas on Parade campaign, Harder had an inkling of what it was like to decorate a three-dimensional object d’art, albeit a nonfunctioning one.

Describing her hands-on experience this time around, the artist said, “What I found challenging was how delicate the violin was and then I found the wood grain so beautiful in itself, that painting over it felt like a crime. The violin’s irregular, small and delicate shape was like making jewelry. Violins are just sexy, you know; (they have) nice shape to them.”

Finishing her remarks on an altruistic note, Harder said, “It was a cool project. I hope I did them right, it was an honor to be asked to do it. Artists donate art, it’s how we can give back to the community that we love.”