Tag: artrocks.nl

Irene writes,

My Art Rocks 2018 song is finally coming together. I’m calling it “Ramses”.

I was inspired by the life of Ram(e)ses II and his legacy (as Basquiat obviously was), in particular the striking evidence of his love for Nefertari, his first wife. The tomb he built for her in the Valley of the Queens is stunning – a real labour of love. She’s depicted larger than life on some temples too. He called her “the one for whom the sun shines”. Some praise indeed!

Writing the song has taken a bit longer than usual, as I struggled to find a direct link with the painting and the artist. After the Art Rocks workshop day I participated in a few weeks back, I saw a way to pull it all together and I think it works. Here’s hoping the museum judges think so too.

Now onto the final stages of arranging the song, making the video and getting my entry in in time for the closing date, 22 October 2018.

 
Check it out:
Now you can take a virtual tour inside Nefertari’s tomb (2018)

Art Rocks is a bi-annual competition linking fine art and music.

Irene took part in 2012, and has decided to try again. Last Saturday she attended one of the workshops, to gain inspiration and meet some of the other songwriters. She was the oldest of the bunch by far. The youngest was 15, not much older than when she first learned to play the guitar and started writing songs all those years ago.

Irene has selected this painting by Basquiat as her inspiration:
 

The song is evolving slowly, but she’s making headway. The challenge is to write a song that can stand on its own, but that is clearly inspired by and a response to the artwork. Good luck to all the others taking part.

The organisers hope for 250+ entries this year. Wouldn’t it be great if Irene made the museum round and then got selected for the finals in Paradiso? One can dream, can’t one?

In case you’re interested, here’s the link to Irene’s 2012 entry, “Mirror mirror”.