Contemporary Outlook: Seeing Songs at the MFA Boston

The purpose of TSRE, beyond promoting what Chris and I think is worthwhile music, is really to instill a curiosity in music as a cultural form that like it or not is a ubiquitous presence in 21st century culture. As such, I would like today to focus on an interesting and fun exhibit currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston entitled Contemporary Outlook: Seeing Songs. The exhibit seeks to represent how visual artists are inspired by and interpret music, which also offers the opportunity for a listener to think about the role of music in his/her own life.

I personally love museums, but I realize that many blogosphere residents may not get psyched up for special exhibits as I do. Seeing Songs is an exhibit that is enjoyable for all on a number of different levels for all types of people. From the iconic Herb Ritts photographic portraits to the vibrant Stuart Davis painting, music lovers can recognize their favorite music displayed perhaps in a novel way. For those not interested by a page of John Cage's experimental music, the exhibit centers around a video installation piece by Candice Breitz entitled Queen (A Portrait of Madonna) where 30 Italians try their hand at singing the entirety of Madonna's The Immaculate Collection in one go. The wall of 30 small TV screens will make you stop, and even if you do not love Madonna, you will bob your head when the 30 eccentric (to be nice) performers start belting out Like a Prayer. Reminds me of college a little...But I digress, we stood in front of the display for a good 20 minutes absorbing the raw energy of the singing, watching visitors from toddlers to retirees admire the piece and also thinking of its greater meanings. The air guitar video display by Gillian Wearing in which she videotapes a bunch of people shredding face melting solos in their bedrooms is pretty hilarious as well.

Despite its use of visual art, Seeing Songs is for music lovers. Regardless of your knowledge of visual art or music history, if you like music, you should go to the exhibit. It made me think about the connections between all different types of culture and is just a fun way to see how music has influenced so many other forms of art throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. If nothing else, you will rock out to Madonna and quite probably the Backstreet Boys. I promise. Also, I would like to specially thank William Stover, the assistant curator of Contemporary Art at the MFA and curator of the exhibit, for the fascinating tour and commentary, as well as for putting on such a playful and engaging exhibit. Contemporary Outlook: Seeing Songs is on display at the MFA Boston until February 21, 2010.

Madonna - Like a Prayer (YSI) (filesavr)
John Cage - The Wonderful Window of Eighteen Songs (YSI) (filesavr)