First-of-its-Kind Music Video Exhibition Opening at the Contemporary Arts Center
Cincinnati, OH—The Contemporary Arts Center (CAC)—one of the nation's oldest and most celebrated contemporary art institutions—is pleased to announce the opening of Spectacle: The Music Video on Saturday, March 3, 2012. This groundbreaking exhibition explores music video as an important and influential art form in contemporary culture and is the most comprehensive museum exhibition on music videos presented to date. The show highlights the genre's place at the forefront of creative technology and its role in pushing the boundaries of creative production. Spectacle, on view through September 3, 2012, is curated by Jonathan Wells and Meg Grey Wells of Flux, a global creative community and collective that programs film and art events around the world. The Contemporary Arts Center will be hosting an ongoing series of programs with artists featured in the exhibition throughout the run of the show.
Through a dynamic mixture of interactive installations, recreated sets, projections, video, objects and immersive environments, Spectacle is the first exhibition of its kind ever presented—unlike any other music or music video-related show to date. It takes you behind the scenes of seminal moments in music video history—from the early pioneers and MTV masters who expertly used the medium to define their public identities, like Devo, Beastie Boys, Michael Jackson and Madonna, to artists like OK Go and Lady Gaga who follow in their footsteps today. The exhibition unfolds thematically and features original objects and ephemera that have never before been seen outside of the videos themselves.
Spectacle: The Music Video exhibition highlights:
• An original Residents eyeball and top hat created by artist Homer Flynn for the music video pioneers.
• Exclusive art photography from Floria Sigismondi, Stephane Sednaoui, Andreas Nilsson, Melodie McDaniel, Martin de Thurah, Arni & Kinski, Chris Milk shot on the sets of their videos.
• OK Go jump suits and paint guns from the award-winning "This Too Shall Pass" video, co-directed by James Frost and the band.
• The original, never before-exhibited drawings by animation directors Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger for A-Ha's groundbreaking "Take On Me" video, directed by Steve Barron; and a recreation of a set piece from the video.
• The "Tonight, Tonight" ship from Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris' award-winning Smashing Pumpkins video.
• A human-size Milky from Hammer & Tongs' Blur video "Coffee and TV," recreated especially for the exhibition.
• Michel Gondry's original yarn props from his Steriogram video "Walkie Talkie Man."
• Interactive installations by Vincent Morisset and Chris Milk of their Arcade Fire and Johnny Cash projects.
• Original art and objects from Björk's “Wanderlust,” directed by Encyclopedia Pictura, and 3D screening room for viewing the video.
Opening Night Party: Saturday, March 3
Join us for another legendary CAC opening party, celebrating the premier of two new exhibitions: Spectacle: The Music Video and Dasha Shishkin: I surrender, dear.
6pm Cocktails & dinner-by-the-bite with artists, curators and honored guests
• Open to CAC Director’s Circle Level Members and above
• To join, renew or upgrade: 513.345.8422 / membership@contemporaryartscenter.org
8pm Featuring Dan Deacon
• Free and open to the public
• Cash bar
• Dan Deacon performance: original music followed by a DJ set
• General information: 513.345.8400 / www.contemporaryartscenter.org
A special thanks to our sponsors:
Lightborne, LPK; Allan Berliant & Jennie Rosenthal Berliant; Anonymous; Curiosity Advertising; Landor; FRCH Design Worldwide Anne and Dave Altman; Hyperquake; Midwest Grip & Lighting; Turnbull-Wahlert Construction, Inc.; The Camera Department; ArtsWave Corporate Partner, Enquirer Media