“You Had To Be There.”

In 2017, The Summer Series at the Mann Center presented A Space Odyssey. Honoring the legacy of Colonel Guion Bluford, Jr. that began with an abstract visual introduction of a cosmic view of space. It celebrated our Universe with a celestial themed program, and it intersects with our modern times. How in 2020, Covid-19 gripped at the throes of humanity as we knew it. Yet, this program that observed the first African American in space, and a World Premiere by Nolan Williams Jr. “Hold Fast to Dreams,”in steadfast time, it’s the collective moment nuance through music, art, and science when our dreams are made visible.

“Footage from Bluford’s Space Shuttle mission in the photography, and video that started the show took a wild interpretation into the movement and the music being played by the Philadelphia Orchestra.”

Up Close & Far Away

Symphony Magazine 2020- The Magazine of The League of American Orchestras

“The Philadelphia Orchestra’s March 12 livestreamed concert made no attempt to hide the empty seats, lending an enormous poignancy to the event.“

Yannick addresses the audience,

“This music that we cherish, that we love, that inspires us, has survived hundreds of years of hardship and struggles, I know that soon we are going to be back sharing this music with all of you as a great community, as a joyful event. But as we now share with you virtually, I know it will help us through these strange and difficult times for the entire world, helping us feel together on this beautiful planet Earth.”

A Classic New Yorker Cartoon

If Everything is Absurd, then Nothing is Absurd. “Sorry, the sun got in my eyes!”

Broadway Musicals

Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix

A precursor to turning to digital paintings from direct observational sketchines depicting the live performance. Le Miserables is a historical romantic musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo, representing the emotional and moral of the French Revolution. Modernism sweeping the nation, and vocal of the provincial French population as well as the heroic political figures fighting for a democracy. Symbolism of passion represented through romantic relationships mimic the way literature and moral character plays a role in painting the scene. This is the moment in history when modern literature began to introduce realism, and imagery in writing the humanistic character.