tate tracks

so if you're not familiar, the tate britain and the tate modern are some pretty sweet museums in london. in fact, the tate modern is my favorite museum of all time, and i'm a huge museum fan/snob so that actually means a lot. i spent 5 hours there once on rainy january day. anyway, check this out! tate tracks! they've brought in musicians to choose a work that inspires them, compose a song, and then they play the song alongside the work that inspired it. very cool. i was especially psyched to see that someone chose a franz kline, since his name popped into my head immediately when i read about this project. good choice, graham coxon! i have so many questions about this. i wonder if they really do let the artists choose the work on their own. does the museum educate them about it or are they supposed to just be inspired by the aesthetic? do they get guidelines on writing their song? i wonder if it's different writing a song when you know the audience is not your typical fanbase. my only complaint is that i was hoping for more energy in the songs. the headphones logo is a little misleading in that way. it makes you think you're about to rock....not so much. ah well.

it's amazing that the tate was able to pull this off. museums are always trying to think of new ways to show art and ways to attract new patrons. unfortunately, bureaucracy (ah-hem, board of directors) usually waters down any good ideas until they're nothing special at all and nothing ever changes. at least that's my experience with art museums. indeed, european museums put ours to shame.

BUT...

there is something amazing going on at the modern in fort worth. there is a ron meuck (a "hyperrealist" sculptor) exhibit that is truly the best thing i've seen in years. i know my opinion doesn't mean much, but trust me this time, it's great. even if you're not into art, it's very accessible because his sculptures just plain look cool. here's an example:

this one isn't the best, but i don't want to ruin it for you by showing you the best one. duh. the exhibit is on through oct. 21st so you have some time. wednesdays are free, so i would recommend going on that day.

sorry for the pretentious art-kid post.