Pictures at an Exhibition

It isn’t often that one’s “second layer of talent” gets to be utilized. Artists are often clobbering each other, in order to use the “thing” they deem as their “first string” talent level. 

Pianists, it’s the chops. Singers, it’s the voh-chay. (Yes, perceived sarcasm is directly understood). Other instruments, I’m not sure. (Long notes for tuba?). 

It’s the dermis talent (as opposed to epidermis) that gets us where we need to go long-term. 

I received a request a few months ago for an upcoming performance. And in doing so, I get to use my strange, spontaneous thinking and improvisational skills.

The assignment? 

“Play works of art at a gallery.” With a singer. No music. But we play the art (or sing it). We play gestures and come up with contrast, movements, harmonies, melodies, conversation, points of focus, lines, perspectives …  

 

 

Today was our final rehearsal and - people should run to hear and see what we are creating. 

The Albuquerque Museum is hosting its “3rd Thursday” event. It has invited curator Oliver Prezant (read a little about him here) ... 

 

soprano Cecilia Leitner (more about her here), a poet, and myself. Cecilia and I have had several rehearsals of … musical improvisation related to the art on the walls.

Since we have had to rehearse while the museum is open to the public, we have had passers-by become involved in the painting. Oliver has been guiding the audience and Cecilia and myself to share and experience the art in a unique way.  

 

 

The other day, we were creating a multi-movement piece based on this painting. Oliver then had the audience make hand-shapes and gestures related to the visual and aural art!  

 

 

Today, we created a piece based on a portrait of a young boy holding a chicken. (You have to come to the exhibit to see this one!). In one way, the painting is totally “ignorable” and a walk-by. But today, people were present at this painting for close to ten minutes. 

Usually, art museum guests look at paintings, on average, for about 10 seconds. 

We increased the audience-time ratio of “Boy with Chicken” by 6000%. 

Who said art isn’t a great investment?