François and Bernard Baschet’s (b. 1917 and 1920) "Aluminum Piano" (1962)
is one of the most arresting and fascinating works included in "Motor
Cocktail: Sound and Movement in Art of the 1960s" (Jul 2 – Oct 30). With
its five large metal cones and slender metal tendrils mounted on a small
keyboard, the work has the appearance of a large flower. When Aluminum Piano
was presented as part of the exhibition, Structures for Sound: Musical
Instruments by François and Bernard Baschet at the Museum of Modern Art, New
York, in 1965 and later at the Arts Club Chicago in 1969, they invited
musicians to perform on these ‘sound structures.’ Motor Cocktail
continues this tradition: Chicago musician have been invited to play and
accompany François and Bernard Baschet’s Aluminum Piano in the exhibition
space.
Post new comment