A Day in the Sun, 2017-2019
SOHO is a NASA satellite perched at the gravitational balance point between the Sun and Earth. It takes pictures of the Sun several times a day, and sends these images back to Earth. Chris Chafe and Greg Niemeyer did several projects with these images and related radioflux data. A Day in the Sun is a composition for Flute and computer synthesis which manifests almost 21 years of solar data as music and video. Chris Chafe completed this composition in 2017 based on a video of the Sun by Greg Niemeyer. The video shown here shows Margaret Lancaster playing the flute score. The video was filmed at UC Berkeley in 2018 and released in its final form in 2019.
The Concept
NASA images are in the public domain because NASA is a government agency and its works are part of the common good. The sun is the ultimate common good, as it provides the energy for human life. A Day in the Sun celebrates these notions. The Sun, constant as though it seems, suffers severe solar storms which affect our daily lives. Electronic music sonifies these storms. The flute, played by Margaret Lancaster, gives voice to human ambitions in the light of this Sun. The work continues to be performed in concert venues around the world.
Elena D'Alò performing “A Day in the Sun” by Chris Chafe and Greg Niemeyer at Centro Ricerche Musicali in Rome, Italy, July 2021.
Photo: courtesy CRM ArteScienza 2021 photo: Marco Iacobucci
Collaborators
Music: Chris Chafe
Flute: Margaret Lancaster
Video Director: Greg Niemeyer
Camera: Luke Chayo, James Osborn
Editor: James Osborn
Production Assistant: Lucas Bosman
Special Thanks to Lisa Esters