Creative inspiration is like water. It has to flow freely to stay clear. If you force it to be still, the waters can become murky. Artists often evolve and grow by influencing each other and blurring the lines between artistic practices. This free flow of creative inspiration can lead to the kind of creative expression that shapes cultures.
Sound and Vision highlights artworks that incorporate or evoke sonic elements. Visual artwork has many of the same formal components as music and performance. It has rhythm and composition. It can be loud or quiet, chaotic or orderly. Most importantly, it is expressive. Many of the works in this exhibition directly reference specific songs or genres of music. Knowing what an artist was listening to gives us a richer context and a deeper well of meaning to draw from. Music in particular is such an evocative medium that the mere mention of a song title can bring to mind deeply stored memories, feelings, and images, transforming our state of mind entirely. What sound does a line make? When you look at these works, use your imagination to create your own internal compositions of sounds or movements and continue the flow.
To enter into the expressiveness of Sound and Vision, the exhibition will be on view June 22 until August 19 at the CultureWorks co-working office space at 13th and Walnut. The work hangs alongside archival Philadelphia history and architecture in the office space, conference room, and break out spaces.