Museum Monday: How Do We Describe the Museum
I think I’ve been pretty open about this road of discovery we are on…..what actually IS a meaningful museum? What museum protocol transgressions are acceptably post punk & industrial? What to do with collections? How do we honor input and ideas? (we’re working on that!). On the one hand, it is this magical old Doc Martens shoe box full of stuff (but larger!). On the other hand, it’s a space in Chicago with electricity bills and property taxes, too…
This week, it became something else…how to describe it??? The importance of touching and feeling? The circular nature of things that continue to be used and evolve instead of items static behind glass?
On Wednesday Justin Pearson, Orville Kline, Steven Seibold came in to town for extremities rehearsals. Wednesday night went well at SMASH! rehearsals (thank you!). But then on Thursday, I suggested that we set up at the museum and play surrounded by all of the Killing Joke (and more) objects… OF COURSE, I assembled some interns to help re-print some Money is Not Our God dollar bill backdrops and as people arrived, interns were in the alley with me spray painting the fabric dollar bills in the same way that Paul Raven had 30+ years ago. You can see the pictures, it was revelatory, energizing, soothing and momentous. Aside from the massive vibes bouncing around the walls, we actually used exhibits, too…..my NiN/Ministry/Pigface drum kit of course ..a recent purchase of a Shellac rehearsal bass cab was set up alongside the rig that Paul Raven, Charles Levi and Jah Wobble used……..now, we need to add that Justin Pearson distorted the airwaves through it to its ‘provenance,’ too…..I just don’t even know the words to describe all of this? Perpetual energy creation? Circular re-investment?
I just don’t know and I’m happy (always!) for anyone’s ideas of how to describe this.
That, by not being ‘precious’ about the objects, they are made more precious? That almost feels like a Peter Gabriel moment – turning your back on the audience and falling backwards into a trust game hammock of support.
More indelible moments, too, this weekend with items donated from signed Front 242 poster to photographs and a coffee cup that will add to the PiL / Paris collection and a tenth visit from founder Kevin Kapala!
I’m not sure what you think this place is, but I can assure you – it’s more than that! I’m amazed on the daily as to what keeps unfolding.
Come visit
And — for fuck’s sake, be as nice as you possibly can to as many people as you can.
MA
| PPIM SUMMER EVENTS |
|
EXTREMITIES – CHICAGO IL – 11/28 – Ultra VIP (wait list) + VIP
|