Chalkboard, 2010

For 30 years, Christian Marclay’s work has explored music in all its facets. He is an artist, musician and composer. “Sound an image are very closely intertwined in my work,” he says. At the Whitney, he invites visitors to participate in the exhibition. Viewers are asked to write notes on the large chalkboard which performers will later play. In fact, during the show’s run, Marclay’s scores will be performed by 50 celebrated musicians.

Marclay, Memento (The Rolling Stones), 2008

One of my favorite works of his are cyanotypes with cassette tapes. They are made by unspooling tapes across the surface of the emulsion and exposing them to sunlight. This work pays homage to the disappearance of the audio cassette.

Zoom Zoom, 2007-9

One room projects photos taken of signage in which Marclay captures words that are examples of onomatopoeia such as “snap.” He believes in the power of images to evoke sound.

Marclay’s exhibition includes installations, performances, video, interactive elements and two-dimensional works. One example is his collection of 64 glass, porcelain, and metal bells on view which are meant to be used in performances.

This is a show worth experiencing; for me to write about it does it no justice. Go see this one for yourself. It is worth a visit.