Three compositions by Hikari Ōe

Issue 32

June 2021

Hikari Ōe was born visually impaired and developmentally disabled. Unable to communicate through speech, he found his voice through his musical compositions. As a child he would learn to recognise and imitate birdcalls, later developing an understanding of musical notation and theory, and expressing himself through classical music. As an adult, Ōe primarily composes chamber music, with a focus on ethereal interpretations of nature's sounds. You can find the stimulus compositions on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4e3pI8k6zY

Playlist inspired by the stimulus

will you be alright without me?

Royston Tester

it was enoch, though, who got the surprise. / squeak-squeak. urgent … someone’s heel on a toy, over and over.

Concentric

Richard W. Halperin

Proust described À la recherche du temps perdu‍ / As concentric. So is any good poem, / So is life. The look you gave...

Yoyogi Park

Michelle Egan

From her seat in the park, all Narumi sees is punctual and she’s unaware of figures moving through her ignorance.

The Virtues of Elevator Music: On Eluvium, Ambience, and Transience

Jenna McClelland

The artist is not necessarily one who sculpts the gods, plays a fine series of musical resonances, or paints portraits.

Requiem for a Weeping Fig

Matt Ferraz

“This is my nephew, Matheus. He doesn’t work. He’s a bum. He’s a writer.” That’s how Uncle P. introduces me to one...

The Girl in the Red Cape

Richard W. Halperin

The girl in the red cape is still where she was. / On the island of Miyajima, on the planks of / The first Noh theatre.

Studies in Charcoal Abstraction

Steven Tutino

A series of charcoal abstractions based on the stimulus.

Nonverbal and Lost in Grief

Caitlin Mitchel-Markley

Such sorrowful glances, never seen, but always sent / with longing / in seclusion / hidden, but not lost.

On Memory: Triptych in Conversation with Yosa Buson

Sarah Yost

light flashes through glass / moves shapes across her face / pine trees glide past my window

This issue was brought to you with the gracious support of our Patreons:

Aisenour Bitsen

Anthy & Costas

Colby Torbett

Dorina Papaliou

Joelle Hivonnet

Zoe Bell

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