After sixteen jam-packed weeks, the art exhibit Genius / 21 Century / Seattle comes to a close at the Frye Art Museum this Sunday, January 10th. The curated collection paid tribute to over sixty-five local artists, all nominated for The Stranger's Genius Award over the years. Since the show debuted last September, they've hosted 40 different installations, performances, readings, discussions, and more at the First Hill museum.
Tonight, Thursday, January 7th, the museum presents Conversations in the Stratosphere, a talk between Canadian artist Nep Sidhu and Ishmael Butler of local hip-hop duo Shabazz Palaces. Both are members of the Black Constellation artist collective, and Sidhu created the artwork for the group's sophomore release Lese Majesty on Sub Pop Records.
Together, with moderator Negarra A. Kudumu, Frye Art Museum Educator, Sidhu and Butler will discuss their collaborative commissioned piece, SonicArchiTextile, a large-scale installation and soundscape commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Malcolm X. "Leveraging the sacred through unseen protocols, seeking truth by creating spaces that favors feeling over materiality, we have created a work that goes far beyond tribute," Sidhu explained. "Rather, we have materialized the essence of transformational energy, and harnessed it." In this open-ended dialog, the two will discuss the inspiration and impact Malcolm X has had on their work. The talk begins at 6:00 PM, but seating for this free event is extremely limited, so get there early.
Tomorrow, Friday, January 8th, Butler will return with his partner Tendai Maraire for a Shabazz Palaces performance, with local music veteran Morgan Henderson (The Cave Singers, Fleet Foxes, The Blood Brothers, just to name a few). The duo nabbed The Stranger Music Genius award in 2010. This free concert is currently at capacity, but additional seats may be available on the day of the program. Doors open for café service to registered and standby guests at 7:00 PM, followed by their performance at 8:00 PM.
For more information on the exhibit itself or these events, check out the Frye Art Museum website here. Before you go, check out the band's most recent KEXP in-studio session below:
Last month, beloved local troubadour Karl Blau lost all of his instruments and recording gear in an accidental fire that destroyed the Anacortes Music Channel, an all-ages DIY art space, concert venue, recording studio, and online radio station that he established last year in Anacortes, Washington…
All this year, KEXP has been hosting a series of unique fun events to raise money for our New Home campaign! Back in October, we hosted a two day showcase in Portland, one at Holocene and the other at Doug Fir. While there, we were fortunate to work with Louie Herr and Aaron Colter of Banana Stand …
This Friday, January 8th, KEXP's Audioasis presents an evening of cosmic roots-rock, garage glam and desert psychedelia with Seattle bands MASZER, WILD POWWERS and Evening Bell.
