"The professional keeps his eye on the doughnut and not on the hole. He reminds himself it's better to be in the arena, getting stomped by the bull, than to be in the stands or out in the parking lot." --Steven Pressfield

Right now I'm working on a project in Colombia, South America.  Beautiful site.

Also editing the Scat Section of the Heartbeat Performance with The Persuasions.  It's really fantastic hearing everybody singing in rhythm over Emily's heartbeat.

This week I also visited with Color Kinetics, looking at the latest and greatest in LED multi-color technology for both the "Subterranean Rainbow" and "Miami  Airport" projects.

I'm also working with Berger Partnership out of Seattle, developing the concept for Redmond, Washington. We're passing sketches back and forth through the ether.

I close my eyes in order to see. --Paul Gaughin

This week I'm getting ready to go to "Sonic Forest: Redmond" with a whole new sound score. This installation is part of the Redmond Lights Festival on Saturday, Dec. 5. It premieres at 7:30 p.m. this Friday and will be open from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily through next Saturday, December 12. If you see me there be sure to say hello!


"Sonic Forest: Redmond" will be located in the Center Plaza of Redmond Town Center, Northeast 76th Street & 166th Avenue Northeast in Redmond, Washington. For more information, visit www.redmondartsfestival.com.

I am also currently working on score for the Boston Ballet piece "Sonic Shadow".  Helen Pickett will be the choreographer. We plan to do some kind of demo in January in Boston. Let me know if any of you want to come.

Also developing the color scheme for the new Miami Airport project mentioned in my last blog post. I'm planning to make a presentation in Miami in early January.

Last we're finishing up the Hendrix College proposal currently titled "Subterranean Rainbow". I'm thinking a lot about the history of light environments from Castel's color organ in 1743 to Zappa's performance with the Joshua Light Show in 1968.

 

"If you go where it's at, by the time you get there, it'll be gone. So go where it's not and keep your eyes and ears open." --C. Bates

Last week, I screened "Heartbeat with the Persuasions" for The Persuasions and John Kiehl at his Soundtrack NY studio. Nice to hear it in true Sound-Surround with serious bass cabinets.

Later I went to an award ceremony for my good friend Sarah Rudner, the original performer of Heartbeat in 1983.



After 5 years, we are finally starting work again on the Miami Airport commission. Last week I visited the site for the project, which I hope to be an interactive colored glass and sound installation similar to the old "Harmonic Runway." It is to be part of the Airport's new people mover system.



Also had dinner with architect Laurinda Spear and her kids at her house. Always good to see old friends and how their kids have grown up!!

After dinner, I went to the Miami Arena and caught the last half of the the Miami Heat/Cleveland Cavs game. Wanted to see how my scoreboard was holding up- it is looking better than ever.


LeBron and Wade on the same team? Anything's possible.

Also had lunch and nice walk with art dealer Barbara Gillman. We discussed an exhibition for next year's Art Miami, the city's annual contemporary art fair. The exhibition would consist of a series of my transparent colored Resinworks and a preview of the new airport project.

Designers solve problems. Artists ask questions. --S.A. Moi

I've recently finished a video piece on the March 1, 2009 performance of
"HeartBeat with the Persuasions" in High Definition with 5:1 Surround Sound. This comes with the news that our music studio is now set up with a great 5:1 mix environment and we've solved the problem of how to author HD and 5:1 surround to Blu Ray.

I'm now working with Eddie Grenga/Handsome Brothers Music on some interesting commercial music projects.

Also starting this week, you can follow Janney Sound on twitter.

Resin Color Studies

I've been back in the dirt studio working on a set of resin
sculptures. These studies are made from mixing transparent colors
into resin and pour them into troughs. I cast the forms and shape
them when they are in a "rubber" state; trying to make "physical
color." Very Giacometti/plaster studies idea, also elements of
improvisation, since I only have so much time until they are too
hard. These often happens after a big color glass project (Forth
Worth "Parking in Color"). I am still thinking about the colors and
ideas and refer to these as "after-studies." With the "Internal
Anxiety" series, they are moving out of the "studies" phase and on to
a life of their own. Some sound possibilities are looming, taking up
on my old concept of "Sound Is An Invisible Color." Stay tuned.



Internal Anxiety




Sara Dance




Studio Wall With Displayed Sculptures

Janney News

Just got back from speaking in Redmond Washington (home of Microsoft and Nintendo). Had a great meeting with the public arts community. We're hoping to bring a variety of projects there in the future!
Back at home, I've been working on a project for the Boston Ballet. Check out some pics/video from recent rehearsals below.

Parking in Color - Fort Worth

We spent 5 weeks in Fort Worth finishing my newest piece, "Parking in Color." We worked 12-16 hour days in high wind, heavy rain and hot sun. It was fantastic! Check out pictures of the installation process and the final piece below and lt me know what you think!

Janney and the Persuasions Perform "Heartbeat" at Summer Stages Dance

On Sunday, March 1, 2009, at 4:30 pm, the famed a Capella group, The Persuasions performed artist Christopher Janney’s high-tech work “HeartBeat with The Persuasions,” along with dancer Emily Coates and musician Stan Strickland, at a benefit for Summer Stages Dance at Concord Academy in, Concord, Massachusetts.

On Friday February 20th, Janney and the Persuasions did a special appearance on WNYC radio’s Soundcheck program with John Schaefer. The interview was followed by a special performance of “What is a Heart?” an original piece composed by Janney specifically for the Persuasions.

Check out some pictures of the special VIP rehearsal at New York's 440 Studios.