Tweekunst

What happens to you when you decide to embark on a creative quest. Not alone, but as a twin.

In 2002 the Later twins discovered that the process of painting and composing turned out to be almost identical. Anne-Fieke is a fine art painter and Eugène a composer. They share the same method of working and the same ideas. It was a logical step to enter this process together. Creating pieces alongside each other, in order to come to a mutual and new expression of art: Tweekunst (trnsl. Twinart) - as they see it".

'Catharsis''

Initially painting and music do not seem compatible; painting is a visual artform and music aural - two very different propositions. Perhaps even more than we initially think, as music usually is often best listened to with the eyes closed.

It's thanks to the early Romantic Movement (beginning of 19th Century), that man wondered what was common to each of the arts. With their opinion that all forms of art are fundamentally equal and with the desire to unite music and painting in the future, the Romantics were not very different in their ideas than people are nowadays. However, the difference between then and now is, that the artists and theoreticians of the Romantic Movement never put their ideas into practice.

The actual integration of arts came into being at the beginning of the 20th century. The Russian painter Kandinsky (1866-1944) is one of the pioneers in this field. He painted to compositions of Arnold Schönberg. Kandinsky tried to translate the musical compositions into paintings. He heard the music in colours and in colours he saw the music.

This has also been attempted the other way round; Mussorgsky (1839 - 1881) composed music to paintings by Victor A. Hartmann, painter and achitect. In February 1874, the city of St. Petersburg showed its respect for Hartmann, (who died a year earlier aged 39), by honouring him with an exhibition. The exhibition inspired Mussorgky (also a good friend of the painter) to compose of a piece of music.

Tweekunst gives another dimension to the integration of arts. Looking at Kandinsky and Mussorgsky, there is no mutual inspiration here - it is one sided. Tweekunst shows it can be different. The project Heading for New Biggin means trying to find synergy between painting and composing. Painting and music composition go hand in hand, simultaneously growing towards one whole.

'Heather'

The twins about Heather:

'Every voyage of discovery starts with a first step. A melody in your head, or an image in your mind. The realization of the painting and piece of music of Heather provides a clear illustration.

A rough music composition formed the foundation of the painting Heather. While talking about the music composition she came into live through image. With these first musical ideas we found a Flamenco dancer prepared to bring a dynamic Heather to life.

With the images of the dancer on the beach we then went to work in our atelier and music studio. What does the music calls to the painter and what does the image calls to the composer. During this process we intensively worked together. Every new step was talked over. Even the musicians were involved during this process of cross-pollination. They let themselves be inspired by photos of the painting, in its different stages of development. An adventure of mutual influence by painter, composer and musician. An adventure where image and music became each others faithful companions.

Together the image and music tell the story of Heather. The intensity of the observation is strengthened by the music. And the other way around, the painting gives a more in-depth experience to the (music)listener. This magic is our greatest reward for three years of working with heart and soul on Heading for New Biggin. We hope to pass on this magic and in this way share our Tweekunst-experience with others.'

'Tobias Symphony - part 1 & 2

Tweekunst Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme jongen bladeren fruit tobias symphony vogel

The project 'The Tobias Symphony' took three years to complete. Anne-Fieke painted the two pieces and Eugène wrote the accompanying music piece of 21 minutes long.

The Tobias Symphony is an imaginary adventure of a little boy who decides to fly into the turbulent sky (part 1).

At one point he falls into the silent and wonderous world of the sea (part 2).

Special musicians have contributed to this project like Wiek Hijmans (electric guitar), Andy Summers (electric guitar) and John Hollenberg (vocals).

Tweekunst Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme jongen zee water schildpad zeester schelp zeepaardje

Tweekunst Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme Andy Summers Eugène

'Between Us I'

Tweekunst schilderen Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme meisje man vader dochter koffer hoed ballet

'Between Us II'

'Message from the West'

Tweekunst schilderen Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme zwaan vrouw water druppel storm woestijn vogel wind schilderij

'Message from the West' is the last part of a trilogy which follows the growth of a young girl to an adult woman. A varying perspective: the vulnerable asking young child looking at her father for answers in 'Between Us I' to the seeking young woman in 'Between Us II and finally, the powerful, self creating woman in 'Message from the West'.

'Highest Heaven'

Tweekunst schilderen schilderij Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme Dante's Divinia Comedia touw man boom lucht water

In 2009 Tweekunst participated in an international exhibition called 'Dante's divine comedy'. The exhibition took place in Denmark and Germany. 'Highest Heaven' is inspired on Dante's theme.

'Heading for New Biggin'

Tweekunst schilderen schilderij Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme vlinder vrouw handen licht transformatie vleugels

With the project 'Heading for New Biggin' Tweekunst was born. During the twins many conversations about the process of painting and composing music, they found that both forms of art showed a lot of similarities. This made them decide to enter this process together.

To them 'Heading for New Biggin' symbolizes a new beginning.

''Duet for One'

Tweekunst schilderen schilderij Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme india bruidje stokroos kosmos handen armband Duet for One

''The Gatekeeper'

'The Gatekeeper'

In 2006, the Later twins visited Paris and her street musicians for their project 'Soulkeepers of Paris'.

With this project they tried to capture the soul of Paris in sound and image. The soul of the city is in the hands of Paris' street musicians; they keep the city alive and give magical moments to people who walk by. The emotion in the music is what binds the musician and the listener. In that sence the street musicians are 'the soulkeepers of Paris'.

'Venus and the Female Intuition''

Tweekunst schilderen schilderij Anne-Fieke Later fijnschilder olieverf op paneel kunst stillevens magisch realisme Venus and the female intuition intuitie Schelp vrouw slapen kind dromen lucht luchtbel roos

For the international exhibition ‘Venus and the Female Intuition’ (Denmark) Tweekunst worked together with the violinist Monica Germino and bassist Robin de Lang. Painting and piece of music make the intense relation between Venus and inuition come to life. Artists worldwide have contributed to this exhibitoin like Michael Parkes (VS), Ans Markus (NL), Peter van Oostzanen (NL), Patrick Woodroffe (GB), Michael Maschka (DL) en Claus Brusen (DK) etc.