Kaiser Chiefs in Conversation with York Art Gallery
Kaiser Chiefs explore the boundaries between art and music this winter in a unique and experimental exhibition at York Art Gallery.
Using their position as pop musicians as a starting point, Kaiser Chiefs have chosen to rethink sound as a medium, inviting visitors to join them in exploring the edges between music, art, creation and performance.
To do this they have:
• Brought together works by internationally regarded sound artists which have resonated with the band while on their travels and inspired them to look at sound in new ways
• Created a silent gig – using light and colour and projected lyrics to create an immersive environment that offers visitors a reconfigured experience of a live music show.
• Selected a “set list” of songs in response to works from York Art Gallery’s collection that reference creation, production or performance.
Kaiser Chiefs said: “When York Art Gallery approached us as a band to work with their collection, we thought it sounded like an exciting proposition and wondered where it could lead. As we started to look into the archive the works seemed to suggest connections with music beyond the approach of pairing or translating.
We found that we were thinking about sound in a wider sense. We are not artists – we are musicians, and so we’ve chosen to use this opportunity to work with the gallery to explore sound as a medium – our medium – and to open that up further for us and for the viewer/listener. To stretch ourselves, to explore the edges between music and art, creation and performance.”
They added: “We are from the North, and are always keen to work in partnership with northern creative institutions, we need to make the most of these spaces, they are an asset and they are ours. We make music that we hope appeals to people of all ages and walks of life, we hope to work with York Art Gallery to create a show with a wide reach that is both creatively challenging and generous to us and the viewers/listeners.”
Jo Killeya, head of public engagement for York Museums Trust, said: “As experts in creating music and performance, Kaiser Chiefs offer us a distinctly different perspective on the creative process and a personal insight into the links between art and sound.
They are masters of pop music and have explored our collections through the eyes of musicians, while hand picking works by artists who have pushed the boundaries of what art can sound like. The “Silent Gig” will be a completely new and immersive piece of work created by Kaiser Chiefs and their lighting team especially for the exhibition.
“We are thrilled to be working with them and look forward to joining visitors on a journey that will see our collections interpreted and displayed in a truly original and inspiring way.”
More details of the artworks, sounds works and the silent gig will be released shortly.
It will be supported by a programme of events, workshops and performances as well as working with an artist in residence to explore the creative process of making music. The full programme will be announced closer to the exhibition opening.
The exhibition is included in the admission price of York Art Gallery.
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