Hunter Museum of American Art

Music and the visual arts have blended throughout history. From organ music booming onto cathedral frescos to African drumbeats pulsating ceremonial masks, art and music have continually been a part of a dialogue of sound and sight. At the Hunter we like to encourage this sensual extravaganza. This fall has been particularly rich in sound. We've had the alt-country beat of North American Royalty emanating from our café terrace to welcome visitors to our Free Sundays. The Creative Underground has performed soulful jazz and gospel in our galleries, singing out to works by African American artists in our collection. We heard the oompah tunes of Oktoberfest music as we joined with the city to celebrate Chattanooga's Renaissance Oktoberfest (a side of beer and brats from the cafe made the day all the more festive). For a different mood, we had the glorious sounds of beautifully blended clarinet, cello and piano notes filling our lobby in our first String Theory concert. And, as part of our identity series, we explored the role of hip hop and international beats as guest performers got the audience working together, making collective music with a harmony of individual identity beats.

In each program, the related art was transformed into something new. With each sound, the pieces danced to a different beat. Radcliffe Bailey's horn played a mournful tune with a gospel solo. George Segal's Couple on Two Benches express star crossed romance when viewed along with the melody of Romeo and Juliet. And, Deborah Butterfield's horse gallops to a funky beat with the drums of North American Royalty.

Through it all the art keeps playing, transforming and growing with each new note that accompanies it.

Adera Causey
Curator of Education