After setting up Thierry Noir’s London retrospective (covered) and a Los Angeles show (covered), Howard Griffin Gallery invited the legendary Berlin wall artist to put together another solo show that celebrates his second biggest love – music. Jazz was planned as a synthesis between the worlds of art and music through the colorful and playful filter of Noir’s practice, and it resulted in an overwhelming sensory experience from the floor to the ceiling of the gallery.
While living in vibrant Berlin in the 80s, the French-born artist was constantly influenced by its pumping underground music scene. From Nu Wave to Hip Hop, Punk Rock to Jazz, these sounds fueled the creative energy which eventually resulted with him picking up the brush and starting to paint his iconic characters. Some 30 years later, he created a show that celebrates the world of music while featuring his signature characters, rendered in bright colors, getting involved in music making action. Along with these paintings and drawings, he also covered the entire gallery space with colors and symbols, creating a sense of a lively, sacred place with sculptural versions of his images scattered around and outside the gallery. Finally, he designed and produced fully functioning violins, cellos, flutes, recorders and other instruments in the shape of his infamous characters.
The show opened on 25th of June and will stay on view until 26th of July, with occasional live performances by internationally known bands and DJs playing exclusive gigs on these uniquely designed musical tools.
Photo credit: Marcus Peel.
Discuss Thierry Noir here.
