The 1998 Disney film A Bugs Life was a cute movie right? I thought so. It explored the notion that perhaps bugs lives are similar to our own in a lighthearted way. But surprisingly enough, now there are other, less jovial explanations of the same concept. Share This Place takes closer and more imaginative look at the life of insects, as something that is truly different yet important for us to understand as creatures on this earth.
Mirah and Spectratone International have partnered up to create the music for a still frame animation also called Share This Place. The film itself is visually stunning; a world of realistic looking insects crafted out of corks, buttons and the like. This multimedia project was created for an art festival in Portland, Oregon and also shown at a children’s festival in Washington and it’s definitely worth checking out. The work is an expression based on observations from a few notable scientists. It’s like each little bug has their little monologue
The album itself is quite theatrical as well. The album narrates the film, each track focusing on a different species and their often existential thoughts. Mirah most often speaks as the insect in the first person. The music also helps to give the listener an idea of what the insects are like. The characters that Mirah and the other musicians portray are complex and mysterious. Share this Place is thus informational as well as enjoyable.
One of the most enjoyable tracks for me is Luminescence. This song starts out as a soft, jazzy ditty about lightening bugs. In the beginning Mirah's voice seems to fittingly glow in this piece. It just floats above the minimal bass and a beautiful oboe melody follows these first few verses. Then all of the sudden the tempo gets faster as if the lightening bugs are multiplying or getting more eager to glow their romantic glow for the last half of the song. Each song is unique but follows this same pattern of a species telling their story.
The one complaint I had was that format and style of the music are such that after a few listens you need a break from the insects and their lives. The songs vary but they all have a similar wiry and twinkly tone that's not exactly fun after 10 or so tracks. However, my overall impression of this album was that it's incredibly creative and beautiful. You really feel like insects are more than a nuisance to humans after listening to this album. After all, we must share this crazy place with all living things.
