In 2013, Wolfgang Heitmann improvised Sounds in response to some of my paintings. I remember showing him my work on an iPad — and, seeing the images for the very first time, he created his sounds spontaneously, weaving music and color into a moment of pure, intuitive connection.
I’m deeply grateful for the many inspirational discussions I shared with Wolfgang and Brigitte Schmitz in Brigitte’s welcoming home in Bonn. Brigitte and I were long-time collaborators in scientific research — our work over decades ranged from exploring glycosylation in the brain to more recent projects on stem cells and cancer. These conversations often drifted far beyond data and experiments, flowing into questions about art, perception, and how different ways of knowing can enrich one another.
I cherish how, in those moments, our scientific curiosity, Wolfgang’s music, and my paintings met in an open, generous space — a reminder that creativity, whether in a lab, with a brush, or through an instrument, grows when we listen deeply and improvise together.
Truly enjoyed seeing your paintings in this musical gallery. Such exciting use of color!
Wolfgang Heitmann was very special. I tremendously enjoyed my weekends with him and Brigitte Schmitz, my biochemistry friend in Bonn, full of exciting discussions on all kinds of topics. Brigitte (with great organizing talent as shown by founding biochemistry teaching laboratories in medical schools in the Congo after her retirement) planned to have exhibitions in Bonn with Wolfgang composing further songs for my paintings. Hélas, Wolfgang has died after having lived too intensely https://wolfgangheitmannmusik.wordpress.com/