- Playing
- Are Animals Creative?
- From
- Sean Cole
To many people, bird-song is the most beautiful sound in the world. And many liken it to classical music. But can anything an animal does be considered art? This piece, quixotically, tackles that question and -- while it doesn't offer any answers -- it presents some compelling evidence that some animals have an artistic sensibility.
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Piece Description
To many people, bird-song is the most beautiful sound in the world. And many liken it to classical music. But can anything an animal does be considered art? This piece, quixotically, tackles that question and -- while it doesn't offer any answers -- it presents some compelling evidence that some animals have an artistic sensibility.
2 Comments
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Review of Are Animals Creative?This is my second hearing of Sean Cole's lovely piece on the artistry of animals -- and I could listen again and again in a heartbeat. It's a compelling question he asks and the answers he gets, while certainly not "answering" the question, do make you think about the fine lines that separate (or don't) man and beast. From a technical standpoint the production is flawless and the use of nat sound is creative, but the real gems in this segment are Sean's writing and delivery. This piece would air quite naturaely in a local arts & culture program, but I can definately hear it in a newsmagazine program as well. Well done! |
Broadcast History
Originally aired on PRI's "Studio 360" in July 2006, and again in December 2006.
Transcript
Track 1 ? WELL, THERE?S A DOG IN HAMILTON, ONTARIO THAT CAN PLAY THE PIANO.
[SFX: CHANDA PLAYING ?TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR? ON THE PIANO.]
Track 2 ? OF COURSE IT?S JUST A LITTLE TOY PIANO... WITH BLINKING RED LIGHTS THAT TELL YOU WHEN TO HIT THE KEYS. THERE?S ALSO DOG IN MANHATTAN THAT SORT OF DRAWS WITH ITS PAWS... AND REALLY THE REST OF ITS BODY TOO.
Ax 1 ? BOWMAN HASTIE: Her art is? definitely there?s a destructive element to it. You know she?s very aggressive and she sort of goes at it and attacks it.
[SFX: TILLIE MAULING CANVAS.]
Track 3 ? THIS DOG HAS 38 PROFESSIONAL GALLERY SHOWINGS UNDER HER... BELT... OR COLLAR OR WHATEVER. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRAINING ELEPHANTS TO PAINT FOR YEARS. AND SELLING THAT ART. IF IT IS ART. AND EVEN IF IT IS... IS IT AN EXAMPLE OF ANIMAL CREATIVITY?
Ax 2 ? ALLISON KAUFMAN: it certainly could be.
Track 4 ? THIS IS ALLISON KAUF...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
Piece is 4:55 from top to soq with an additional 1:33 of music at the end for continuity purposes.
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Hans Anderson
Posted on May 30, 2007 at 08:57 AM | Permalink
Review of Are Animals Creative?
I heard this on the PRX Station Showcase podcast. What a great piece! It's a pretty good topic, but I bet Sean could take any topic and make it an interesting listen. He's not flippant, but he doesn't take it too seriously (at least this topic, on Are Animals Creative). This is the kind of stuff I point to when people say public radio is boring and monotone.
I put "Amusing, Light, Humorous" as the tones, but all but the "dark" types would fit. It's just a good overall listen.