TIDAL: 28 minutes

John Keys is a visual artist whose work is often concerned with journeys, particularly in relation to the natural environment. He records the passage of people or elements through a landscape, focusing on marks and traces left behind.

Graham Fitkin is a UK composer who works with acoustic and electronic instruments, collaborates with dance, film and digital media alongside concert orchestral and chamber music. 2009 included commissions for London Chamber Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and BBC Concert Orchestra.

John and Graham’s collaboration arose from a common interest in a particular beach in West Cornwall, specifically its tidal rhythms and shifting sand bars and the conceptual concerns these suggested. They spent intensive seven day periods on the beach during specific Spring tides. John made sequential drawings of the tide line from a point on the beach on 28 days during a year long period. Graham recorded audio from the sand bar, notated aural data and produced 28 minutes of new music which was performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Frequent discussion informed the development of the music and visual content and helped shape the final work which was designed specifically for the ramp area.
‘Tidal’ explores the interaction and evolving symbiosis between sea and land and the metaphorical significance of this precarious ‘edge’. It observes how the sea constantly reveals and conceals the land, reminiscent of the push and the pull of promise and loss. It refers to boundaries that are simultaneously grounded and transient.

 ‘We started out from idle conversation, shared interests and notions of passing time.  We pondered that nebulous magical area hovering between pre-determined data and a reality governed by chance. I have found the exchange of perspectives and ideas on the same phenomena not only exciting but surprisingly illuminating.  John has taught me a lot about things I thought I knew. ’
Graham Fitkin

‘The prospect of working with a musical composer such as Graham was exciting and challenging. The subsequent discovery of the parallels in our creative processes led to an experience that was both energising and highly productive. The collaboration has helped me push the boundaries of my own practice.’
John Keys