SARAH KRANING TRANSLATES MUSIC INTO COLOR AT LOLLAPALOOZA
Under the summer haze of Grant Park, where music pulses through the heart of Lollapalooza, one artist is turning sound into sight—quite literally.
Sarah Kraning, an internationally renowned visual artist with sound-to-color synesthesia, unveiled a captivating series of music-inspired paintings on August 1 and 2 at the Re:wild Tent in Lollapalooza’s Artist Village. Her presence wasn't just an art installation—it was a sensory experience. For Kraning, sound isn’t just heard. It’s seen, textured, and emotionally mapped through motion and pigment.
Where Music Becomes Canvas
In an era where music and visual art frequently collide, Kraning’s work stands apart. Her latest series dives deep into the sonic worlds of RÜFÜS DU SOL, interpreting the haunting duality of their tracks “Inhale” and “Exhale.” These aren’t just paintings—they’re synesthetic portals. Each brushstroke is born from how Kraning physically perceives sound, layering frequencies as color, form, and rhythm.
And there’s more than art at play. The canvases—infused with the sounds of endangered and extinct species—carry a deeper purpose. As part of a collaboration with Re:wild, proceeds from the original works and their prints will go toward the nonprofit’s Zero Extinction program. This is not only art with heart—it’s art with action.
A Signed Signal of Support
In a pre-performance ritual that felt like a blessing, RÜFÜS DU SOL personally signed two of the original works at the event, grounding the collaboration in mutual respect and shared advocacy for conservation. Kraning also showcased a Perry Farrell–signed painting inspired by Jane’s Addiction’s “Imminent Redemption,” merging rock iconography with her signature spectral style.
The Power of Perception
Synesthesia, often described as a “sixth sense,” allows Kraning to interpret the world with a depth few can imagine. “When I hear a song, I see its architecture,” she once explained in an interview. “It becomes shapes and flows of color, moving like liquid thought.”
Her Lollapalooza showcase not only translated that unique neurodivergent experience—it invited the public to step into it.
To learn more about Sarah Kraning’s work or support the cause, visit sarahkraning.com or connect via @sarahkraning on social.