I got free tickets to last night's Met performance of Paul D. Miller's Civil War Symphony. Known as DJ Spooky, he was the artist-in-residence for the last year during which time he produced an electronic work of music that included a live string quartet, a tin drummer and phenomenal singer. All inspired by the Met's archive of civil war photography, some of which images he used and distorted in the video backdrop during the performance.
It was fantastic.
And I was there because too many people did not want to attend and so there were so many empty seats?!
The Met is to be congratulated for venturing into new territory and inviting unexpected artists to collaborate with the collection. This is what art can enable so well. Young artists to explore the past to create something new.
You can watch it live streamed and decide for yourself (give it a few minutes to begin).
I will grant there were a couple moments when the DJ might have used more experience conducting a live group. And I might have wished that he had been given support in how to make more of the visual aspect. It starts off strong but then became a bit repetitive and I don't think that was successful in promoting any particular idea, if that had been the intention. I wish I might have spoken with him over these past few months, helping him discern depths in his own ideas that could then translate into more sophisticated approaches to the video work. The man is really clever but we all sometimes need to talk through our ideas in order to get at the crux of the concept. As for the music, I have nothing to say. I've been a fan for years and enjoyed hearing this mature work.
Had I known about this performance, been granted free tickets ahead of time, there are so many that I would have invited. As is, I feel lucky to be inviting many, many to the National Arts Club where he will be speaking and performing on Tuesday the 14th.
More then about this amazing artist.
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