Reclaiming Vision
. . short film music for cello and computer

A short film by Dijkman and Johannessen.

Captured through a light microscope, 'Reclaiming Vision' features a diverse cast of microorganisms, sampled from brackish water, alongside algae, cultivated in a lab. The film reveals various processes in the water that are hidden to the naked human eye. By investigating the brackish water, its inhabitants, its properties, and the traces left by human activities, the film is a reflection upon the relationship we humans have with our surroundings, especially through what we cannot see.

1 . Intro
2 . The Order of Things
3 . The Asexual Kingdoms
4 . The Renaissance of Beasts
5 . The Violence of Looks
6 . Outro

This set of cello works is the result of inspiring footage that I was allowed to view during the process of filming and the fantastic conversations we had about the function the music and the film had together. We quickly established that there was a subconsious connection between the collaborators, in particular the combination of microscopic film with microminimal music. From a composers perspective I had created my own understanding of the emerging footage and felt a strong sence of seasons in the form of the film (summer/fall/winter/spring). This quickly became a guiding story for me and for my own musical form, and found its way into the musical structure.


Performed by cellist Jan Willem Troost.
Featuring Els Mondelaers, voice.
Reclaiming Vision was comissioned by the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway.

Special thanks to Natalie Hope O'Donnell.