Rhythms and Melodies - Lone Tree on Beach
by Nikolyn McDonald
Title
Rhythms and Melodies - Lone Tree on Beach
Artist
Nikolyn McDonald
Medium
Photograph
Description
Nature is filled with rhythms and melodies.
The life cycle of plants and animals, the pounding of the waves on the beach, the movement and changing shapes of clouds in the sky, the ripples of the sand on the beach - all are rhythmic. In music, rhythm is measured by time.
Melodies include rhythm but also tones, notes organized as an aesthetic whole. Melody describes an arrangement that is pleasing to the ear or, as in this case and metaphorically, the eye.
I found this scene on the shore of Lake Michigan near Charlevoix, Michigan. The day was damp and dreary. At first glance the tree appeared lifeless, its network of branches bare. The beach was empty, the waters calm, the sky lacked interest. But closer examination revealed life. There was new growth at the base of the tree, a seagull made its way across the sand, waves broke at the shoreline, and even the overcast day could not conceal the subtle interest of the clouds in the sky.
I chose to pair this minimalist photo with lines from a selection from The Complete Works of W.H. Auden: Prose, Volume III: 1949-1955 by W.H. Auden: "The most exciting rhythms seem unexpected and complex, the most beautiful melodies simple and inevitable." The photo is also available without the text with the title "Lone Tree on Beach".
Uploaded
August 20th, 2023
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