After-Image – A Multisensory Experience

On May 19, Local Edition presented After-Image, a mesmerizing fusion of live music and visual art, featuring contemporary percussionist Niki Johnson and visual artist Nicki Brancatisano. The performance explored how sound fades while visual impressions linger, creating a thought-provoking sensory experience.

The centerpiece was Johnson’s Shimmer Suite, a 45-minute vibraphone composition in four movements, each evoking a seasonal theme—from snow-whipped peaks to underwater serenity. As Johnson’s music resonated through the space, Brancatisano responded with live drawings projected in real-time, translating sound into evolving lines and colors.

This interplay of music and art transformed the performance into a reflection on time, nature, and memory. Johnson, known for her interdisciplinary work in music and sculpture, brought a dynamic presence, while Brancatisano’s abstract yet recognizable visuals deepened the audience’s emotional connection.

After-Image offered a unique exploration of sound and vision, leaving attendees with lasting impressions of how fleeting moments can resonate long after they pass.