Lee Mingwei’s Sonic Blossom
Friday October 30–November 8th, 2015
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in collaboration with Asia Contemporary Art Week (ACAW)
Role: Curatorial Assistant
In collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Manhattan School of Music, Asia Contemporary Art Week presents Lee Mingwei’s Sonic Blossom. The exhibition transforms the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Blanche and A. L. Levine Court and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery into an intimate stage with personalized performances of Schubert Lieder by professional New York vocalists.
Lee’s concept for this performance-exhibition grew from his emotional connection to Franz Schubert’s music as a contemplative sanctuary, and his desire to reframe and share that experience. In the Met galleries, professional singers in a custom-designed costume approach individual members of the public and inquire: “May I give you a gift of song?” Those who accept will be seated for a short personal performance.
Sonic Blossom was generously funded by the Ministry of Culture,Taiwan (R.O.C.) & Taipei Cultural Center in New York.
Full program and artist / performer bios
Press
The New York Times, Arts (December 9, 2015)
The New York Times, Music (December 9, 2015)
The New York Times Music (November 5, 2015)
Image: Lee Mingwei, Sonic Blossom, 2013. Ongoing participatory performance installation with chair, music stand, costume, and spontaneous song. Edition of 5 + 1AP. Courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.