B(e)ach Day: An Artistic Collaboration

Artwork by Tim Jaeger; production by StoryVox

First, let me set the scene. When I walked into the event space, I was immediately immersed in the colorful and inviting art of Tim Jaeger. Beach paintings of all shapes and sizes (including on a surfboard!) enveloped the room. The front wall featured three screens with shifting images of Jaeger's work. Umbrellas that periodically changed color hung from the ceiling, and beach balls were poised on couches ready for some friendly fun. 

A lone chair sat perched in the sand awaiting Natalie Helm, principal cellist of the Sarasota Orchestra. At the appointed hour, Helm took her seat -- barefoot and wearing a beach-appropriate dress -- with her Raphael di Blasio cello circa 1803. The lights dimmed, and the audience quieted. 

Natalie Helm 

As Helm played the first chords of Bach's Cello Suites, the panels on the umbrella's canopy began to change colors. At first, they were the vibrant solid colors seen in Jaeger's art. Then abstracted images from his paintings appeared. The shifts were synchronized to match the music. The overall effect was gorgeous, and there were still five movements to come. (Side note: Helm played much of this movement in the dark.) 

Many of the Suites were accompanied by video. For one movement, the waves seemed to lap at Helm's feet as the sun lowered towards the horizon.  Another featured Jaeger in his studio. The side screens showed close-ups of the artist at work -- mixing his paint, applying a stroke of brilliant red to a canvas, standing back to consider what he'd done. 

The most remarkable video showed one of Jaeger's works coming into existence. Color me baffled. As we watched (and listened), aerial views of beach umbrellas were drawn. Other shapes and colors were added. A wave emerged, close enough for beachgoers to know relief from the heat was nearby but far enough away not to threaten their set-up. It was all quite magical. 

I haven't made enough about Helm's contribution to the event. Her performance was stunning. It was a true treat to be close enough not only to watch her every movement but to hear her breathe. She swayed and smiled as she played, sometimes closing her eyes. She was totally at one with the music and her instrument. And she's as gorgeous as she is talented. 

And then there is StoryVox, the production company that brought Jaeger's and Helm's work together in such an extraordinary way. StoryVox' website talks about "building a concept that addresses your needs while elevating your brand." I suspect the realization of Jaeger's and Helm's idea was far and beyond what they had initially imagined. To read more about StoryVox, click here. 

For more about Tim Jaeger and his art, click here. He has many exciting projects going on in addition to his day job as Director and Chief Curator of Galleries + Exhibitions at Ringling College. I just learned that he has partnered with JOANN Fabrics to bring three of his designs to fabric stores across the United States in the next few months. (Who knew that JOANN Fabrics has a featured artist program?) And then there are the 41 stained glass windows he's doing for Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa. Click here to read about that project.

For more on Natalie Helm, click here. I wasn't surprised to read a long list of accolades or to learn she's performed all across the country and abroad. What did surprise me, though, was learning that Helm founded a group called Upward Notes that performs for audiences as diverse as prisoners, dementia patients and drug rehab patients. Her unusual gigs at animal shelters gained the attention of People magazine. Click here to read the article and to watch a video of Helm at work. Always keen for a collaboration, Helm is partnering with Sarasota Contemporary Dance on April 15 for an in-studio performance. I already have my ticket. 

Here's to Tim Jaeger, Natalie Helm, StoryVox and designer Tippy Taylor for bringing Sarasota an exciting immersive evening of art and music. Never underestimate the power of a good collaboration.