Open House 2005 Program Announced

The Chinati and Judd Foundations have announced dates and program for Open House 2005, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th.

"Highlights of this year’s Open House will be an exhibition of early foam sculptures and photographs by John Chamberlain; a special installation in Chinati’s Arena by Tony Feher and a performance by the acclaimed band Yo La Tengo. Throughout the weekend there will be open viewing of Chinati’s collection and the Block, Donald Judd’s Marfa residence, which features a permanent installation of his work dating from 1962-1978. All Open House exhibitions, talks, performances and meals are free to the public."

The selection of Yo La Tengo for the "Rock Music" slot is really something to look forward to. This band's music seems a perfect companion to the visual art and atmosphere of Open House weekend. We've seen in years past that some acts translate better to the surreal atmosphere of Open House. In 2003, the experimental New York trio The Secret Machines really rocked the Vet Hall and left the higher-profile performance by Spoon feeling a bit "poppy" (and “poopy”). And then in 2004, Brandan Curtis of Secret Machines returned solo for an unplugged session and was followed by the Earl Harvin Trio. Curtis’ set which in itself was wonderfully personal and melancholic, was drowned in the chatter of the upbeat Open House goers. And, for this observer, the Earl Harvin set came off too familiar, like we were all in a bar in some big city somewhere.

Whoever said “writing about music is like dancing about architecture” had it right. So I’ll leave that to the good lads at Rolling Stone magazine who say:

"Yo La Tengo explore quiet the way they once indulged in loudness -- as a means to a mood… the Hoboken, New Jersey, trio disguises its guitars, minimizes its drums and makes plink-plunk sounds with its keyboards to conjure mystery, uncertainty and precious private moments. Few bands submerge their ego more effectively than Yo La Tengo: Husband and wife Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley both sing slightly louder than a whisper, with very similar conversational voices. Jazzy instrumentation and dub-inspired studio manipulation share the foreground on shuffling, hushed workouts such as "Let's Be Still." The songs create a warm yet uneasy vibe that's not just meant for your head. Like Stereolab and Beck, Yo La Tengo liberate their listeners by downplaying language and logic in favor of our bodies' hazy dreams.”

Click here for the full Chinati Open House 2005 prorgam.