About “The Other”
Neutrinos, dark matter, and dark energy are names that hold significant intrigue in the field of astrophysics. What do we really know about them? These concepts are crucial to unraveling numerous mysteries of the universe; however, neutrinos’ elusive nature makes it difficult to study. Much of our understanding remains speculative, and what we do know is minuscule compared to what we don’t.
Inspired by Dr. Paolone’s research on neutrinos, I began exploring these topics from a different perspective. This quest for the evasive has been there throughout human history and has been mirrored and represented in various art forms, one of the most significant being Persian poetry and Sufi culture. These lines from Rumi resonated a lot with the concept I was working with:
Speak not of sorrow, speak only of treasure,
And if you know nothing of this, suffer not— say nothing
I said, “O Love, I fear something else.”
It replied, “There is nothing else—say no more.”
“I shall whisper to your ear hidden words,
Just nod if you understand—say nothing but with your head.”
I asked, “What is this? Tell me, for I shall be turned upside down!”
It answered, “Then be so—turned upside down, but say nothing.”
Drawing inspiration from these lines and Dr. Paolone’s research, “The Other” is a multi-media project that aims to capture this elusive and ambiguous essence utilizing music, lights, and motion.
Ali Sadeqi is an Iranian composer and sound artist whose music addresses social and political issues and draws inspiration from Persian poetry. His compositions vary from unaccompanied solos to large-scale works for full orchestra, blending traditional folk influences with contemporary styles. He creates captivating soundscapes and explores the extreme limits of instruments to fabricate new colors. Ali has collaborated with renowned ensembles, including Momenta Quartet, New Thread Quartet, Modern Medieval Voices, and Hub New Music. His recent works, “Lullaby,” performed by the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, and “The Hamster and The Fish,” which premiered with the Tri-Cities Opera Company and was broadcast by WSKG, have received significant attention. Ali has received his Master of Music degree from Binghamton University and is currently pursuing a PhD in music composition and theory at the University of Pittsburgh.
