Composed and performed by Jacqueline Ultan and Aliya Ultan

Paintings for Two Cellos are a series of six small abstract paintings by David Bartley, with an improvised duo cello piece inspired by, and to accompany, each painting. 

Jacqueline and Aliya Ultan are classically-trained cellists, improvisers, and composers, while David Bartley is an abstract painter. Bartley’s interest in process and working in series suggests a logical pairing with modern experimental music, which has a tradition of using abstract visual designs as so-called “graphic scores” that musicians interpret as music. Bartley’s Paintings for Two Cellos–loose permutations of a grid in different colors–served as graphic scores for Jacqueline and Aliya Ultan’s playing in the accompanying audio recordings. In this case, the collaboration was more of a feedback loop. As Bartley recalls:

“The paintings happened very quickly in the span of one long evening. Aliya, Jacqueline's niece, who is a very talented player as well, was visiting for the holidays. The three of us realized we had no presents for the family holiday celebration, ‘Hanuk-mas,’ which was occuring the next evening. So, I suggested that we create paintings for two cellos for each family member. I would create a painting in my studio and bring it to them to interpret, play, and record. As Jacq and Aliya were playing one, I would be painting another while listening to their ‘musical take’ of the previous painting. The entire process of both music and painting were completely intuitive and improvisational with no editing involved."

Jacqueline Ultan, David Bartley, Aliya Ultan. Painting for Two Cellos #1, Painting for Two Cellos #2, Painting for Two Cellos #3, Painting for Two Cellos #4, Painting for Two Cellos #5, Painting for Two Cellos #6. From the Paintings for Two Cellos series, 2016. Oil and graphite on matte board, audio playback devices, and headphones. Lent by the artists.