Curator’s notes
Nick Waugh describes his thoughts about the curation of the CACOPHONY exhibition at View Art Gallery
I recently revisited the Joan Miro Foundation in Barcelona and was struck by videos of dancers in each of the gallery rooms. In 2021, nine dancers had been asked to spend time alone in a different collection room and interpret the art through movement, which was captured on film. Visitors of the museum can now watch the dance performances whilst viewing the art. Miro often used music as an inspiration for his art and I considered whether there could be a chain of connection between the music, painting and dance - were the dancers inadvertently moving to music they hadn’t heard?
I researched other artists who used various forms of synesthesia (where one sense is experienced in another) in their creative practice. Many abstract artists have described seeing colour in sound and observing shapes in music. In the painting Impressions III, Wassily Kandinsky “painted his feelings” after attending a Schöneberg concert. Georgia O’Keefe “translated music into something for the eye” in several of her paintings.
In the CACOPHONY exhibition, five artists have been inspired by music, either directly in their creative process or sub-consciously from emotional triggers. As we look at the work we may see symbols and shapes that appear musical in their rhythm. We may imagine the musical source that caused a response in colour and form.
Some of the work feels uplifting in its vibrant colour and constant movement and some pieces more meditative as we follow curves and textures around the canvas. We may feel alerted by the chaotic energy of the work and absorbed by the continual exploration that is never resolved.
I strive to curate exhibitions that have high visual impact and then become more thought-provoking as we explore the narrative or make personal collections. Abstract work often takes more time and effort to do this but can also be more rewarding as a result.
If you would like to explore the subject of music-inspired abstract art further, you may wish to attend one of our experience workshops that run parallel to the exhibition.
I hope you enjoy the CACOPHONY exhibition in whatever way you choose.