Art doesn’t have to be visual. Just as some artists use paint, charcoal, or film, others use sound as their medium of choice. Although you may not be able to see sound, sound art can be just as — or even more — emotive than visual art. Unsurprisingly, in the past few years, we’ve seen a huge rise in the popularity of sound art. So make your way to the east coast this summer! There’s a lot to listen to.
1. Doug Wheeler: PSAD Synthetic Desert III
Where: The Guggenheim, 1071 5th Avenue, New York, NY
When: March 24 – August 2, 2017
Feeling a little stressed out? Take a break from your hectic life and immerse yourself in the serenity of Doug Wheeler’s minimalist installation. It’s limited to only five visitors at a time to ensure a distraction-free experience.
2. Listen Hear: The Art of Sound
Where: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA
When: March 8 – September 5, 2017
Purring kittens, deconstructed Claude Debussy, the sounds of Boston’s diverse neighborhoods — all that and more in this group exhibition that explores topics like intimacy, shared experiences, and memory.
Where: The Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W 17th Street, New York, NY
When: June 16, 2017 – January 8, 2018
“The World is Sound” is an interactive experience that teaches you to listen with your whole body. Learn more about how this sound exhibition came together in our interview with its curator, Risha Lee.
4. EarMarks II: The World of Mass MoCA in Sound Art
Where: Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, 1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA
When: Ongoing
The first “EarMarks” exhibited 20 years ago. MASS MoCA brought it back to explore the evolution of sound art since then. We’re especially amazed by Craig Colorusso’s “Sound Boxes,” a solar-powered installation that directly reacts to its environment.
Where: Mattress Factory, 505 Jacksonia Street, Pittsburgh, PA
When: Ongoing
Sit in the garden at the Mattress Factory and collect your thoughts in the cool shade as you listen to the music that Rolf Julius composed specifically for this space!
6. Sonic Arcade: Shaping Space with Sound
Where: Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY
When: August 22, 2017 – February 11, 2018
This multi-part exhibition is all about interactive sound art that demands not only to be heard, but also to be experienced. We’re excited to play on Studio PSK’s adult-sized Polyphonic Playground.
top photo // via @jebianca
