The title Moment of Departure addresses the moments we jump from the known to the unknown. Any creative endeavour will include such moments, which can be of pivotal importance if the process requires spontaneity. The title alludes also to the countless stories of migrants, resettlers and adventurers who in one way or another, chose to leave the Known for the Unknown.
The Moment Of Departure project is the collaborative vision of Grammy Award-winning composer and jazz saxophonist Tim Garland and international fine artist Esra Kizir Gokcen.
The collaboration started as a commission and grew along the way to become a double album’s worth of music and substantial series of canvases.
The project has been further enriched along the way, with art workshops for diverse communities, many of whom have been interviewed on the subject of what hope means to them. Esra’s “Sail To Hope” collection has inspired much of Tim’s music on the album and has now inspired many of the workshop participants.
The other major work under the Moment of Departure heading is “The Forever Seed” essentially a violin concerto with improvised interludes demonstrating Tim’s broad vision as a musician.
“There is no one who can more convincingly unite the jazz and European classical music idioms.”
The Observer, UK
about Tim Garland
“Creating art that can be applied to global issues and our personal lives, Esra Kizir Gokcen’s artworks are a beacon of hope in a world that can often seem dark and foreboding”
Tabish Khan, London Art Critic
Visual arts editor of Londonist.com Reviewer of Culture Whisper Trustee of Artcan.org
The Moment Of Departure team have been conducting workshops and personal interviews with hundreds of people up and down the UK, with roots from all around the world.