The Geology of Music

I have found it hard to respond with enthusiasm to events, or artefacts, that try to create meaning from the interaction between science and the arts. Nevertheless, I went along to Camden Forge this evening to see what I could make of a programme called The Geology of Music. The first part of the programme combined live music on piano, cello and bass clarinet with electronic music and film. This is what attracted me because I am a fan of the bass clarinet - especially when played by Sarah Watts.

A cross section of rocks containing the new – but very old – fossil sponges.
Photograph: Maloof Lib/Situ studio/Situ Studio

The music was inspired by discoveries made by Adam Maloof and his team. This led to the second part of the programme during which Adam was interviewed about the significance of his find of ancient sponges that has pushed back by 70-90 million years the date at which we know that there was first animal life on Earth.

Adam was interesting on the way that he teamed up with architects and a design studio to create 3D images of the fossils. He was also interesting in the possible implications of his work for the theory of Snowball Earth.

An odd evening. The two parts seemed like separate events to me. Again I failed to detect the insights that science brings to music or music to science - but that's me.