The Porter Ranch gas leak was a catastrophic event that took place in Southern California in 2015, releasing a massive amount of methane into the atmosphere and causing widespread health problems for the surrounding community. The leak brought attention to broader issues of environmental degradation and corporate negligence, inspiring a wave of activism and advocacy for change.

It was in this context that I was first exposed to the abstract paintings of Gerhard Richter and became captivated by his use of thick, viscous paint and the unpredictable way colors spread and layer across the canvas.

Inspired by Richter’s approach to abstraction and affected by the tragedy in Porter Ranch, I sought to translate these concepts into music, resulting in SEEP. The work features harmonic smears that transform over time, much like the shifting layers in Richter’s paintings and gas spreading through the atmosphere.

Through this musical interpretation, I hope to draw attention to the broader societal issues highlighted by the Porter Ranch gas leak and to honor the courage and tenacity of those who fought for change in the wake of the disaster.

—SC