Art and music sometimes exist on separate plains but on Wednesday, The University of Alabama hosted a lecture by Ben Vida, an artist specializing in both practices.

Vida is an alumnus of Bard College and is known for music pieces primarily in the electronic field, his most recent musical work being “And So Now.”

Vida’s lecture was primarily centered on finding multiple modes of musical composition by focusing on his musical pieces as examples.

Vida touched on his inspiration and practice for his musical pieces.

“It changes from project to project but for the piece I’m presenting on Thursday, I am drawing from an interest in the kind of threshold between sense and nonsense with spoken language,” Vida said.

He also offered words of encouragement for students who are majoring in music.

“For music majors, I would encourage them to always keep as much of an experimental practice available to themselves in their studio practice,” Vida said.

Vida is no stranger to presentations, as he has also presented at art galleries in the past with videos, paintings and his musical pieces.

Pete Schulte, an art professor at The University of Alabama and the chairman of the Visiting Artists and Scholars committee, discussed the significance of having Vida as a guest speaker for the lecture.

“Ben Vida fills a unique space because he brought in more traditional paintings but also occupies a space between those disciplines,” Schulte said. “He also incorporates sound which is an important part of all of his work.”

This particular lecture was a portion of a two part event, the other being a concert performed by Vida in the Moody Music Building at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

The lecture series by the art department has been a yearly tradition as it has brought in artists of multiple disciplines from numerous different backgrounds in terms of economics, ethnicities and even nationalities.

This twofold event was performed in collaboration with the Alabama-based organization, Sonic Frontier.

Schulte also discussed the art department’s collaboration with Sonic Frontier.

“This event is unique in that it is the first time we have collaborated with another group in the University that is also bringing in other artists as well,” Schulte said. “We are collaborating with Sonic Frontier concert series, so we had the lecture on Wednesday and then on Thursday night, we will have the musical performance.”

Those who are interested in art are encouraged to view the final lecture in the series for the semester, which will be held in the same room at the same time on March 5, and will host painter and sculptor Iva Gueorguieva. More information about the event can be found on the Department of Art and Art History website for The University of Alabama.