aeblog

music for dead people

Several months ago, I was selected to participate in a juried sculpture exhibit at one of the most beautiful (and undiscovered) green spaces in the greater Boston area: Forest Hills Cemetery.

• WHAT: Dwelling: Memory, Architecture and Place
• WHERE: Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA
• WHEN: June 24th through October 31st, 2006
• OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, June 24th – 3-6 PM

Yes, I know I am not a sculptor(!), but I love this place so much that I wanted to participate with music instead of a physical object. I interviewed people in the cemetery about why they were there, how it makes them feel, what they think about being surrounded by dead people etc etc, and have incorporated those recorded responses into 25 minutes of music. The hope is that people will listen to the music while walking around the grounds if possible, and I have created two methods for doing this. The preferred method is to download the music to an iPod or some such portable device and bring it with you. The alternative method is to call a number on your cell phone while in the cemetery and listen that way. You will also be able to leave a voicemail with your thoughts at the same number. The phone system will not be fully functional until the exhibit opens this weekend, but you can download and listen anytime from my website:

One Hundred and Four Thousand

There are fifteen artists participating in this exhibit and the people organizing it have set up a nice walk that takes you to all of the pieces as well as to some of the more interesting and beautiful permanent artworks and memorials on the grounds. Believe me, this is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon.