Google 'doodler' explains genesis of Stravinsky birthday logo*
Today is Igor Stravinsky's birthday, and if you've been surfing the Web at all in the last 15 hours, you will no doubt have come across Google's visual homage to the controversial 20th century composer.
On the search engine's main page, the Google logo has been replaced by a colorful illustration that combines themes from two of the Russian composer's most famous pieces, "The Firebird" (1910) and "The Rite of Spring" (1913).
So how did the Internet company come up with the fetching birthday tribute? Culture Monster asked the designer himself, Ryan Germick, who works on the company's "doodle" team. We wanted to know whether he was a classical music fan and how he came up with a visual way of expressing Stravinsky's modernist, atonal sounds.
Here is Germick's response in full:
I'm a casual fan of classical music, and was introduced to Stravinsky through a couple of different avenues of popular culture as a teenager, namely Disney's "Fantasia" and Stravinsky-inspired works of Frank Zappa. At the time I generally didn't relate to classic music, but I found and continue to find Stravinsky's compositions undeniably fresh and full of life.
Google has celebrated many visual artists on the homepage -- mostly because we love art, but also perhaps because it's more immediate and recognizable to appropriate an established visual style into the logo, as opposed to something abstract like music.
We, on the doodle team, always try to push ourselves though, and during a brainstorming session Stravinsky popped into my head as a great composer to feature.
"The Firebird" and "The Rite of Spring" instantly sprang to mind as famous pieces associated with strong visual symbols. Also, including them both allowed the logo's composition to create a clash of warm and cool colors that seemed like an appropriate way to celebrate Stravinsky and his dynamic, emotive music.
The doodle started out as a whiteboard sketch, had a brief life on a Post-it note and was finished in Photoshop with a Wacom Cintiq monitor, while listening to Stravinsky piano arrangements on repeat.
Stravinsky, born on this day in 1882, is part of a group of prominent 20th century composers with strong ties to L.A. He lived for a period in what is now West Hollywood and composed many of his important works here. Esa-Pekka Salonen put his music at the center of the L.A. Philharmonic's repertoire during his tenure as music director and recently closed the season with a performance of Stravinsky's "Oedipus Rex" and "Symphony of Psalms."
Happy birthday, Igor.
-- David Ng
(A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Stravinsky had lived in Brentwood. Thanks to reader Patric Caird for pointing this out. )
Illustration credit: Google
I am always so happy to see your "special" Google designs. Not only do they make my day, they cause me to find out more about them. Sometimes I know what they are all about. That's when I give myself a virtual pat on the back.
Posted by: Beth Kane | June 17, 2009 at 03:06 PM
LOVE the google art always look forward to holidays for it! Cat
Posted by: Cat | June 17, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Oh, my, how could there be no comments so late in the day? This is a beautiful logo/specialized artwork celebrating Stravinsky. I knew right away with the firebird, the musical notes, and the spring flowers who you were celebrating. I want to thank all of you at Google for celebrating the arts and sciences, the truly wonderful folks who have deserved fame. I get so tired of seeing all the sex-driven (yeah, sex is wonderful, but it's not all there is in life) ads and lousy musicians touted on internet email and other entertainment websites. Please keep up the good work and don't change your focus! You make my day every day, and especially when you put up your special celebratory logos. I love you Google and have said so many times... to myself and others.
Posted by: Gentian | June 17, 2009 at 03:23 PM
I ALWAYS look forward to the GOOGLE art on holidays! GOOGLE is my homepage and I wish they had art pages more often it is always so innovative. LOVE Stravinsky, His "Fire Bird Suite" has been a fave since I was 10, and I'm on the backside of 50. Cat PS I love the Beth Kane remark about the virtual pat on the back!
Posted by: Cat | June 17, 2009 at 03:31 PM
As an avid classical music fan, I am pleased to see Stravinsky's birthday being celebrated. Kudo's!
Posted by: Michael | June 17, 2009 at 03:47 PM
I absolutely love the Google design for today! R. Nutile, Mtn View
Posted by: rita nutile | June 17, 2009 at 03:52 PM
schoenberg lived in brentwood
stravinsky lived in west hollywood
from '41 to '69
Posted by: Patric Caird | June 17, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I'm not too juxed about that juxtaposition!
Posted by: kerry livermore | June 17, 2009 at 04:02 PM
I love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like when google post designs for different ocassions.
Posted by: catherine horton | June 17, 2009 at 04:10 PM
well isn't this nice! makes us stop and enjoy while ploughing thru the daily stuff. Thank you. littleoldlady
Posted by: mimmi | June 17, 2009 at 04:14 PM
This Google Doodle is by far the best I've seen. Enjoy them all! Only wish they were more frequent.
Posted by: | June 17, 2009 at 04:27 PM
This is a fun and imaginative piece that the artist had created. i am just astounded that this type of art still exists in the wonderful minds of todays generaton. props to the wonderful artist and the amazing composer this piece was created for!!!
Posted by: Kim | June 17, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Google People: We love you!
Posted by: A Virginian | June 17, 2009 at 05:04 PM
If he lived today, he'd probably change his name to iGor.
Or maybe not.
Posted by: Kaonashi | June 17, 2009 at 05:13 PM
This art makes me smile. Thank you -
I love the doodles... I want to Google Doodle. Keep them coming -
Have fun & thanks!
Posted by: AHB | June 17, 2009 at 05:26 PM
this is the most beautiful logo I have ever seen. It had everthing it needed to catch my eye. And to think, I wanted to quit using google, I can't even remember why...
However, I think that Google, Yes, Google is smart enough to listen to those who are dumb enough to type. Enough said.
Thank you for your beautiful logo. I have no intention of getting rid of Google. I love it!!!
I even use gmail
333prime.curios@gmail.com
Posted by: sheri | June 17, 2009 at 05:29 PM
I love all of the doodles on google they are so pretty and greatly thought out, and they make my days better than they already are when I see them! It is my 17th birthday and my golden birthday today and now I know a well known composer that has the same birthday as mine plus a beautiful picture in my head thanks to google! Thanks for all of the doodles doodlers, you are all amazing!
Posted by: Aly | June 17, 2009 at 05:41 PM
so happy to see the fire bird dancing through music and nature.
way to go google AND the great stravinsky!
Posted by: Leif Erickson | June 17, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Bravo google and Mr doodler. Good choice and nice tribute.
But to the author of the article: it's 2009 and 1913 is long gone.
"Modernist atonal sounds?"
Looking for an umbrella fight with Saint-Saens?
Posted by: Gene De Lisa | June 17, 2009 at 05:50 PM
I wanted to make sure that I used my real birthday to sign up for gmail, I don't think that I had to give it. I am pretty sure that google will verify my birthday before posting my comments.
I can only keep up with so much.
thank you,
333prime.curios@gmail.com
that's right...I am still using gmail, even tho it's in beta!!!
Posted by: sheri | June 17, 2009 at 06:02 PM