The Chisel Orchestra

This short film captures the developmental stages of “the Chisel Orchestra” where wood carving meets auditorial experience. Polynesian wood carvers Koa and his father Tonu embark on an experience that has been in the makings for years: Live sculpting of wood while at the same time orchestrating a musical piece using wooden mallets and chisels. The end result is a fully carved slab of wood and a never to be recreated musical accompaniment. circa 2022

It all started with the musical muse and beats which kept the chisels in their genius flow state and with creative ease the mallets tapped into an endless stream of perfect pitches strumming on the wood grain while hearing the chirps of the birds, the leaves rustle, the carve if a polished chisel on some fine acoustic oak. The resounding nature and the creative muse, the daily grind transformed into flow state with some added bonus of sculpture to translate time.

I have been inspired by many musical tracks featuring a plethora of dynamic world beats, indigenous instruments, bells, chimes, nature recordings, tribal harmonies presented in off the beaten path ways and the modern yet underground network of the many talented djs baking up a storm. Pushing play on these long sets in the studio sets the transcendence from mundane to cosmic and after hours of knocking on wood, a visual story of time and place emerges. Studio 101. I am always looking for the co-creative community to collaborate and tap into the sculptural visual arts and make further recordings of live art embodiment. This project is ongoing and ever growing, all inclusive and ready-set-go. If this inspires anyone, reach out and let us see where the muse goes.