Never before exhibited in the U.S., the visual and poetic exhitbition opens tonight by the one and only Patti Smith. The exhibit will remain on display until November but tonight only will the legend be in attendance. Smith will perform The Coral Sea along with her daughter, Jessie Paris Smith on piano and bassist.
In the novel Just Kids, Patti Smith offered a never-before-seen glimpse of her remarkable relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in the epochal days of New York City and the Chelsea Hotel in the late sixties and seventies. An honest and moving story of youth and life long friendship. This book moved me more than I can say and took over my thoughts for months after I read.
The Coral Sea is part homage to Robert Mapplethorpe, part rumination on art, death and rebirth. Smith conceived of the multi-installation show as a progression from the white Infirmary to the stark black The Coral Sea Room. Infirmary evokes a hospital ward. The installation comprises two metal WW1-era hospital beds, various drapings and works on paper. It was shown in 2008 at the Melbourne International Arts Fair, but has been expanded and retooled to be site-specific to the CAC. The Coral Sea Room was created for Fondation Cartier, also in 2008. It is a room within a room, cordoned off by full-length black curtains. As an object, the exterior aesthetically references the Kaaba in Mecca. Outside the room are several silverprints. Inside are benches for seating, offering the visitor an area to listen to the audio (a performance of The Coral Sea by Smith and Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine) and view two projections, one on a vertical screen and one projecting down onto a bed of leather and metal.
The exhibition opens tonight and runs through November.
Memorial Hall
A limited number of tickets are available for $250 which includes:
- a private reception with Smith (dinner by the bite and complimentary cocktails)
- a signed copy of the book The Coral Sea
- a guaranteed, reserved floor seat
The $50 tickets are for the performance only: a reserved seat on either the floor or balcony level.
- a cash bar will be available.
Click here for tickets.
