SONG OF FIRE
THE OCTAVE OF VISIBLE LIGHT: A MEDITATION NIGHTCLUB
"Lia Chavez experiences intense visual imagery generated spontaneously during her meditations, and uses the content of these visual images experienced during her deep meditative state as a source of creative inspiration for her multimedia work." - Frontiers in Neuroscience
Song of Fire (2023)
Sonic Endurance Performance, 40.01 minutes
A commission by MIT List Visual Arts Center
Presented at MIT List Visual Arts Center, Boston, MA, 2023
Song of Fire transcends art—it is a living transmission, a conduit for cosmic healing and communion with the elements. Channeling the primordial forces of the universe, this soundscape was received by Lia Chavez during her weekly Fire Meditation ritual, conducted from 8 pm to 4 am every Sunday in front of a bonfire. It serves as both an invitation to engage with fire’s elemental nature and a means to restore equilibrium to the cosmos. The composition was imparted to Chavez by Ursa Major, as part of her ongoing exploration of healing songs received from the stars themselves.
"Elicits enlightenment for mind, body, and soul alike." - Whitewall
"Chavez, who has exhibited everywhere from London’s Tate Modern to the Venice Biennale, is known for creating neuroscientific and technological works that contemplate encounters with light." - ArtNet
The 40-minute soundscape, which premiered at the MIT List Visual Arts Center in 2023, is an unaccompanied repetition of 23 non-lexical vocalizations. These vocalizations are carefully designed to activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, stimulating the Vagus Nerve to induce relaxation, deepen meditative states, and enhance brainwave synchronization. The deliberate progression of melody and vibrato fosters a deep sense of connection, guiding the listener to a comprehension of cosmic interconnection.
As part of Chavez’s broader body of work exploring celestial transmissions and elemental healing, Song of Fire is not only a sonic experience, but also a therapeutic one. It encourages listeners to enter a profound state of consciousness where they can commune with fire, receiving the elemental wisdom it holds.This piece is part of an ongoing series of songs that Chavez is receiving from the cosmos, a journey through sound that bridges the seen and unseen worlds.