!is painted musical composition translates the Fibonacci sequence into color, form, and tone, exploring how a unifying concept 
can be expressed through many mediums. !e Fibonacci sequence is a progression of numbers that o"en appears in nature. 
Each term is found by adding the previous two terms, creating a sequence that begins 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,.... 

Translation is structured in a modi#ed sonata form that uses 8 measure phrases as building blocks. !e length of each section 
of the form is determined by the Fibonacci sequence (i.e., the #rst section is one 8 measure phrase, the second section is one 
8 measure phrase, the third section is two 8 measure phrases, and so forth). Each section is printed on a square that helps the 
viewer visualize the proportionality of the form. 

!e melodies are also derived from the Fibonacci sequence. Translating each term into a scale degree or interval using modular 
arithmetic allows a melody to be created from the numbers. Colors are assigned to each term of the sequence so that numbers 
with closer values are represented by colors closer to each other on the color wheel. !e notes are painted based on the term of 
the sequence they relate to, giving a visual reference for the connection between numbers and pitch. !e rhythm of the opening 
motive is also based on the Fibonacci sequence. Each note length is found by adding the previous two note lengths.

!e key areas of the development section are determined using the Fibonacci sequence. Washes of color behind each key 
area illustrate the relation between key and numbers. !e layering of mathematics, sound, form, and color within Translation 
explores how meaning can be expressed in many mediums simultaneously. 

Aisthesis      Volume 11,  202045

Translation in Color, Form, and Tone

by Hannah Johnston