A DANCE OF LIGHT

PART 6: on earth as it is in heaven

In its first three parts, A Dance of Light featured parallel works. The first part had a poem, painting, and piece of music. The second had a poem and accompanying score; the third a painting and an accompanying poetic interpretation. In the fourth and fifth parts, you've seen the forms coming together. In the fourth, the words are lyrics in a song. In the fifth, the words are part of the physical painting.

The sixth and final piece combines music, artwork, and language coming together in a single integrated video piece.

We have loved working on this project and sharing it with you. Hope you are finding moments of light in your lives.

Nicole Pinnell, James Goldberg, and Lisa DeLong

Mamma / On Earth as it is in Heaven

Score:  “Mamma,” composed by Nicole Pinnell, Todd Sorenson and Stoker White
Performed by Nicole Pinnell (cello) and Todd Sorenson (percussion)
Recorded at Funk Studios by Stoker White and Todd Sorenson.

“Mamma” is in 7/4 and 12/8 time. The sum of the meter groupings is 19, with the sum of the beat groupings is 12. The key E Pentatonic (both major and minor), ending in E Lydian (the scale with a +4). The pentatonic, or 5 note scales, represents the five elements of earth (stone, fire, wind, water, ether).

The 7/4 rhythmic ostinato is made from 5 sounds on the cello that represent the 5 elements.
• Low drone: stone
• Air: bow whip
• Fire: bow hair crunched on the back of the cello
• Water: finger taps
• Ether: harmonics

Art: “On Earth as it is in Heaven” by Lisa DeLong.
Materials are handmade pigments from earth, plant, and stone, with gold leaf and collage on khadi paper. 

The composition brings together Sun, Moon, Stars, and Earth. The Sun motif, inspired by temple sunstones, has the 19 rays seen in other works in this series. The Earth motif was developed on a matrix of 7 interlocking circles, like the days of Creation. It is a 12-fold pattern which harmoniously integrates squares, triangles, hexagons, and stars into a whole, emerging from and dissolving into the light of the heavens – a dance of elements and light.

Also featured in the video are close-ups from “A Tabernacle for the Sun,” “Vessel,” and “Template.” 

Words: The video narrative was created by James Goldberg. 

The language is taken from Latter-day Saint scripture: Moses 7:48, Doctrine & Covenants 130:9, Article of Faith 10.