Synaesthesia Drawings of the Voice of JAMES BALDWIN, 2024—
Synesthesia Drawings of the Voice of James Baldwin emanate from the legendary 1965 debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley. Baldwin's voice moves with a force that carves space, leaving both visible and invisible marks. His sounds hold an elegant balance of shapes and colors. Deep walnut, carmine, lavender, and denim emerge, grounded yet expansive, reflecting rhythm, cadence, and emotional resonance. These are among some of her favorite pieces.
Each mark, in both color and shape, corresponds precisely to a specific sonic cue. For Schwartz, sound moves through space in three-dimensional mobiles of color and form. She describes her process as “butterfly-netting” the most beautiful-looking sounds and pinning them to paper, preserving their fleeting presence in static form. Listen to a sample of his voice here.
Additional synesthesia series emerge from the sensory experiences of Chopin’s Nocturnes, Luxembourg Gardens, the voices of Alan Watts, Oliver Sacks, Richard Feynman, and the music of Mozart.
