It is true. I’m addicted to art. You would think after all the time I’ve spent in the Blanton over the past two weeks, that I would have had enough (at least for a little while). Nope. No way.
For me, the museum is the most wonderful mind game…a mental adventure. And each time I go, a new thought emerges. Epiphany! Art is thinking.
Now, let me back up and say…that the tagline for the Blanton is “Art is …” Isn’t that the coolest? How do I interpret this phrase? I think this tagline clearly says art is what you think it is.
And what you think is so incredibly important to me (and the Blanton)…that somewhere in my sub-conscious, at any given moment, I’m brainstorming how to create opportunities for you to contribute to the Blanton experience. My mind is soaring with ideas for online interactives, which would explain why I’m up at 2:30am.
The idea that woke me up just now? artTunes: connecting art and music. I want to create a way for you (and you and you and you and…) to pair a work of art with music. I want to know what song you would pick on your iPod as you stood in front of your favorite work of art. What happens when you experience this song and this art together? What treasures did you discover?
Mmmmm…I could go on refining this idea…but for now, the thought that woke me up is captured right here. And the best thing for me to do now, is go back to sleep, while you mull this idea over and tell me what you think.
Go on…don’t be shy. Enquiring minds want to know…
From my iPOD, the best match is Evanescence “Bring Me to Life” with Daniele Crespi’s “The Conversion of Saint Paul.” It’s more the story of Paul that the songwriter brings to this match than the way the painting evokes the song.
On the other hand, as I looked at the classical religious paintings (my faves), I kept hearing Bon Jovi’s “I Am.”
Unfortunately, my knowledge of art is limited to “Oooh, pretty colors!” and my knowledge of artists and their works is almost non-existent beyond the popular works. With that said, I guess you’d pair most of my art viewings with some of the more popular vocal stylings from “Sesame Street.”
OOh, good one! Can’t resist!
If I was in the Rothko room at the Tate, it would probably be Aphex Twin’s ‘Selected Ambient Works’.
If it was Anthony Gormley sculptures, it would be Sigur Ros
David Shrigley = Something acoustic, quirky, like Belle and Sebastian.
Meesh…thanks for playing! How fun…now I’ve got a new list of songs to download from iTunes and check out as I’m wandering through the Blanton.
Jon, I knew you would have awesome ideas…I’m listening to Sigur Ros now…can’t wait to listen to it in my favorite contemporary gallery.
Now Rhonda…what is this silliness about not knowing art and artist…indeed I think you know an artist quite well ;-)
Christine Wilson’s, “Art-stuff-008” (I hate it when artist’s don’t title their works…but that’s another rant for another day), while listening to Jewl’s acoustic remake of “Wild Horses.”
http://www.artshole.co.uk/arts/artists/Christine%20Wilson/art-stuff-008.jpg
OR
Karin Kuhlmann’s, “Sayings,” while listening to Sarah McLachlan’s, “World On Fire.”
http://www.karinkuhlmann.de/DigitalWorlds/Abstracts2/Lovebirds2/sayings2e.jpg
…Just to give you two. My God, I could play this game ALL day!
I think pairing Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings with just about anything by Caravaggio would be an incredibly moving experience. Both evoke human suffering so strongly, for me, anyway. Then I’d need to lighten the mood with Duke Ellington’s take on The Nutcracker while looking at a collection of, er, nutcrackers. :-)