Now being held at the Loveland Museum of Arts and Culture, Main Gallery, “Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar” is an art exhibition that comprises objects, illustrations, and photographs, bringing the design history of the guitar to museum and gallery visitors. The touring exhibition is curated in partnership with art museums and galleries, and each installation is tailored to the layout, theme, and mission of the art venue.
https://www.thelovelandmuseum.org/medieval-metal/
What: Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar
Where: Loveland Museum, Main Gallery, 503 North Lincoln Avenue, Loveland, CO 80537
When: On view now thru September 17, 2023
Cost: Ages 13+ – $7 (children under 13 free)
Ages: All Ages – VERY Family oriented (although younger children might not “get it”!)
Exhibit Events – Sorry we missed this as Mr. Beegle is a COMBO member!
Enjoy a preview of the exhibition with music by guitarist, producer, composer, and musical activist Dave Beegle, noted by Guitar Magazine as “a one-man guitar army.”
Guitars in the Gallery: Free admission to the exhibition on 2nd Fridays 5 – 8 pm along with music by these guitar virtuosos: Friday, September 8, 6 – 8 pm Veronica May
EXHIBITION DETAILS
The “Medieval To Metal” exhibition explores all facets of the world’s most popular instrument, from its history as an instrument of popular culture over the past four hundred years to modern efforts to reinvent the guitar with different materials, shapes, and approaches to design. Design illustrations, objects, and photographs provide a rich context for exploring the artistic components of the guitar. Visitors will experience the art, history, and cultural impact of the guitar in an exhibition that contains 40 instruments ranging from the rare and antique to the wildly popular and innovative. The artifacts are supplemented with dozens of photographs and illustrations that depict significant artists and instruments of the last century.
“Medieval To Metal: The Art & Evolution Of The GUITAR” is an exciting and engaging experience that gives visitors the chance to interact with the guitar not only from the perspective of its history, evolution, and design, but through the music it has created. As the guitar’s ancestors evolved over centuries from the earliest ouds and lutes, guitar makers experimented with shapes, materials, and accessories, seeking the perfect blend of beauty and sound. Musicians and luthiers continue to alter guitar design in their endless quest for a fresh aesthetic and sound that fuels creative synergy, musical innovation, and cultural change.
In addition to the objects, the exhibition features:
• The Permanence of Design
Hand-drawn illustrations were created for the exhibition by renowned designer Gerard Huerta. The illustrations show how guitars designed in the 1950s have not changed while other contemporary devices, from automobiles to telephones, are nearly unrecognizable relative to their 1950s counterparts. (8 life-sized prints)
• The Players & Their Instruments
Mounted photos of famous players of the past 100 years and the guitars most closely associated with them provide a link to the people who have helped establish the guitar’s legacy. The photos were taken by noted concert photographer Neil Zlozower. (20 framed 11 x 14 prints).
If your art museum or venue is interested in scheduling this exciting new exhibition, contact us at 917-208-4333, or email us at director {at} nationalguitarmuseum.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
EXHIBITION REVIEWS
• The “Medieval to Metal” exhibition was a sensation here. I’ve been director of the Butler Institute of American Art for 35 years and have never experienced such a rousing community response to any exhibition until the GUITAR exhibition. The presentation was extremely professional and the exhibition beautifully planned and executed. We could not have been happier. ~ Lou Zona, Director, Butler Institute of Art
• “Medieval to Metal” brought diverse audiences of all ages to the Vero Beach Museum of Art, many for the first time. They enjoyed discovering relevant connections between art, history, science, and the innovative engineering of guitar designs. The opportunity to view masterfully crafted musical instruments in a museum gallery continually delighted the senses of our visitors.
~ Brady Roberts, Executive Director, Vero Beach Museum of Art
• “Medieval to Metal” was a tremendous success for us. The thirteen-week exhibition drew record crowds and reached hundreds of first-time visitors, who enthusiastically shared feedback with us and via social media, which spread the word about the exhibition even farther. Out-of-state visitors made trips specifically to see it. ~ Kathy Kelsey Foley, Director, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
• “Medieval to Metal” was exactly what we always hope for in any of our traveling exhibitions one that engages and excites a demographically diverse multi-generational audience and leaves them walking out of the museum waiting to tell their friends of their experience.
~ Tod Ruhstaller, CEO & Curator of History, The Haggin Museum
• “Medieval to Metal” appealed to a broad cross-section of people and raised awareness of the museum in the community. New visitors discovered the museum, especially ‘dads and lads.’ Many of our visitors came to see the show more than once, bringing family and friends. The exhibition’s mixture of stunning objects and history allowed us to develop unique programming and exciting events during the entire run of the installation. ~ Mary J. Kershaw, Director, New Mexico Museum of Art
“What is likely to prove this year’s single most inspired bit of exhibition display—it’s easily the most aesthetically resonant—occurs in Medieval to Metal: The Art and Evolution of the Guitar.”
~ The Boston Globe
http://www.nationalguitarmuseum.com/M2M.html
[Thanks to COMBO Board Member Tracey Chirhart for alerting us to this awesome sounding exhibit! Http://www.tacmanagement.com]
August 17, 2023| Events| Barb Dye