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David Byrne

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    Aug 11 2020

    Waldemar Bastos - Rest In Peace

    by David Byrne

    The great Angolan composer and singer passed away this week in Lisbon where he had lived for decades.

    May 17 2019
    May 17 2019

    The Human Connection

    by David Byrne

    After a sold-out, year-long critically acclaimed international tour, American Utopia will play a strictly limited engagement on Broadway at the intimate Hudson Theatre from October 4, 2019 through January 19, 2020, with the official opening set for October 20, 2019. Tickets on sale now.

    Apr 2 2019
    Apr 2 2019

    Dancing with the Incomprehensible

    by Todomundo

    In early March, I biked out to the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya from the center of the Mexican city of Mérida. I stopped regularly to take pictures.

    Mar 20 2019
    Mar 20 2019

    Democracy — What Would That Be Like?

    by David Byrne

    Our system is not a true representative government. The will of the majority of people in the US is not represented—except in those cases when the desires of the majority match the policies favored by the wealthy and powerful. Their interests are more often enacted into law. We, therefore, do NOT live in a democracy.

    But, if we could live in a democracy, what would it be like?

    Feb 1 2019
    Feb 1 2019

    A Taste of the Chennai Music Festival

    by David Byrne

    After about a year of being on my own music tour I decided to stay in motion. So, in mid-December I flew to India and attended a few days of the Chennai Music Festival—also known as the December Season. In my all too brief visit, I only touched the surface; the festival goes on for a whole month.

    Nov 1 2018
    Nov 1 2018

    For Freedoms!

    by David Byrne

    William Scott’s work imagines a more loving and equal world; a place for all of us.

    Jul 23 2018
    Jul 23 2018

    Museums for All of Us

    by David Byrne

    Museums that implicitly present themselves by saying, "This is our culture, this is who we are," have an obligation to reflect what that culture is now. The definition is not static. Not every museum has defining culture as their mandate. Not every museum is trying to tell the national story, but for those that are, these are interesting times.

    May 8 2018
    May 8 2018

    Cultural Spaces: No Separation of Art and Life

    by David Byrne

    I found this lack of separation between work and personal obsession inspiring. Most private collection museums leave the source of the money that supports the acquisitions and exhibitions a mystery. But, in this case, the day-to-day work aspect of the collectors’ professional lives is right there in the open, intermingled with the artwork they love. The usual compartmentalization of aspects of one's life has been removed. Art and work, passionate interests and day-to-day business intermingle and presumably influence one another in some way.

    Apr 13 2018
    Apr 13 2018

    Cultural Spaces: Anahuacalli Museum, A Democratic Temple

    by David Byrne

    The Anahuacalli Museum is dark—like the inside of a temple—with lights in the recessed (volcanic stone!) vitrines and display areas. This creates a sense of exploration—a sense of less than completely mediated discovery. It’s an experience as much as it is a repository for objects.

    Apr 6 2018
    Apr 6 2018

    Cultural Spaces: Inhotim

    by David Byrne

    It was started by the mine owner and art collector Bernardo Paz as a space where he could show his collection. Then Brazilian artist Tunga suggested to him that he expand the idea by adding contemporary art, which he did, but more in the form of permanent installations than what one would encounter in a conventional museum. Therefore it feels a little more generous than the usual display of baubles amassed by a wealthy collector.

    Apr 6 2018
    Apr 6 2018

    Cultural Spaces: Introduction

    by David Byrne

    I LOVE to visit museums and cultural centers when I’m on tour. That said, I’m fairly skeptical about whether or not they always accomplish their stated aims. Some seem to do so admirably, and often with an innovative approach. While others, though frequently architecturally spectacular, function more as icons that brand a city or offer it some kind of status. This will be a series of posts and essays that will continue as I visit places all over the world while I’m on tour, and perhaps some answers might emerge.

    Mar 28 2018
    Mar 28 2018

    Porto Alegre, an unfinished city

    by David Byrne

    Our tour has taken us to South America. Periodic thoughts, reports and news from the road. A few days ago we played in Porto Alegre, Brazil to a wonderful audience in a funky warehouse space near the airport.

    Feb 15 2018
    Feb 15 2018

    Guns Are About Freedom: Our Freedom To Live

    by David Byrne

    This piece was originally posted on June 22, 2016. My friend's mother is a doctor in Florida—she has spent the last two days stitching up kids or pronouncing them dead. She is furious, mad as hell, as every citizen should be. If Congress cannot act according to the will of the people (see below), then they will need to be replaced by representatives who listen to us.

    Jan 30 2018
    Jan 30 2018

    How Do They Do It? Part 2.

    by David Byrne

    There is a transcendent feeling in being subsumed and surrendering to a group. This applies to sports, military drills, dancing… and group singing. We cling to our individuality, but we experience true ecstasy when we give it up.

    Jan 19 2018
    Jan 19 2018

    Alias: Steve Powers

    by David Byrne

    Artist Steve Powers did the artwork that is being used for my upcoming tour. I’ve known Steve for a while. Here’s the story.

    Jan 16 2018
    Jan 16 2018

    Testing Tour Tech

    by David Byrne

    The show concept is simple. Like the concept behind the show that was filmed for Stop Making Sense, the idea is super obvious and easy to describe. In that show, it was “bit by bit show what goes into making a show, and then activate it”. In this one, it is “allow everyone to be mobile on an empty stage” (and imagine what that allows).

    Jan 13 2018
    Jan 13 2018

    How Do They Do It?

    by David Byrne

    I’ve sat mesmerized watching online videos of the Canadian group Choir! Choir! Choir! They somehow manage to get hundreds of strangers to sing beautifully together, in tune, with full harmonies and a detailed arrangement. With almost no rehearsal—how do they do it?

    Jan 12 2018
    Jan 12 2018

    Dreamers

    by David Byrne

    I’ve been a fan of the work of what are called “outsider” artists for a long time. The hope, the longing and the need to imagine what could be is widespread, and manifests in so much of their work. They are dreamers—as are we all.

    Oct 5 2017
    Oct 5 2017

    The Secret Place Where Music Shows Get Made

    by David Byrne

    Why here? In the middle of Pennsylvania Dutch country?

    Aug 30 2017
    Aug 30 2017

    Everyone Is A Creator: Afropunk Festival 2017

    by David Byrne

    This visually implied way of being says as much and maybe more than any words—words are words, but this is about how one can BE.

    Aug 29 2017
    Aug 29 2017

    The Mystery of the Egg Farm Tower

    by David Byrne

    On Indian Village Road in Penn Township, PA near Manheim, stands this tower.

    Jun 15 2017
    Jun 15 2017

    This Business of Show

    by David Byrne

    I’m thinking about the idea that much military action is not done to achieve its stated purpose, but is rather, in effect, a show, staged for an audience.

    Jun 13 2017
    Jun 13 2017

    Remember these faces. Remember their names.

    by David Byrne

    These Are Your Representatives Who Voted FOR Trump’s Combo Health Care/Tax Cut Bill.

    May 23 2017
    May 23 2017

    I’M MAKING A MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW AND YOU CAN TOO!

    by David Byrne

    On June 1st, a small creative team and I are putting on a variety show here in NYC… and I’m wondering if you can do it too, wherever you are.

    May 15 2017
    May 15 2017

    ELIMINATING THE HUMAN

    by David Byrne

    I have a theory that much recent tech development and innovation over the last decade or so has had an unspoken overarching agenda—it has been about facilitating the need for LESS human interaction. It’s not a bug—it’s a feature.

    Apr 26 2017
    Apr 26 2017

    JONATHAN DEMME REST IN PEACE

    by David Byrne

    My friend, the director Jonathan Demme, passed last night.

    Apr 3 2017
    Apr 3 2017

    What good are the Arts?

    by David Byrne

    Investment in the arts doesn't cost us money—it MAKES us money!

    Feb 9 2017
    Feb 9 2017

    A Society in Miniature

    by David Byrne

    What was Black Mountain College's secret sauce? One can’t help but wonder if there was a formula and if the kind of radical innovation that happened there and that was car