Parents no longer have to wonder how their babies’ movements would translate as music, as two artists have created a cutting edge program to do just that.
Artists Matt Kelly and Andrew Callaghan are the brains behind a project called ‘The Composers’ which uses motion tracking software to translate pre-crawling babies’ movements into a musical masterpiece.
On Monday, June 19, the pair ran 10 sessions at the Substation in Newport, which Mr Kelly said was a great success.
“The babies were all so cute and musical. Babies, carers and everyone else involved loved it,” he said.
“The babies came in to lay on a soft plush rug. From there a camera traced the babies’ and carers’ movements.
“Music software then produces those sounds into a musical piece.“
Mr Kelly is one half of the renowned kids comedy duo The Listies, while Mr Callaghan works as a composer and educator at the University of Melbourne.
“We wanted to make a space that takes the attention away from looking and changes it to become listening,” said Mr Kelly.
“We wanted to explore what a music making space looks like between parent and child. It was really fun.”
Each 20-minute session involves only one baby and their carer and focuses on what sounds good, what the carer likes, how much the composers are in charge and more.
The babies ranged from a few months old to one who just learnt to crawl a few days prior.
The Composers is part of The Substation’s in Development Program, which supports artists in the creation and development of new works.
For parents/carers who are interested, the Substation website is where parents can book in to make music with their babies.
Details: thesubstation.org.au/program/the-composers-in-development
Jennifer Pittorino
