There is a grassroots movement of turning one’s home into an art gallery and concert hall. I sincerely believe it. Live music is not confined to grandiose concert halls for 2,000 people. Similarly art, especially contemporary art, that is works of living artists, is not destined for museums, waiting to be curated and valued.
Living composers and artists are creating new works every day.
There are not enough concert halls to hear their works or museums to view their works.
Hospitals, schools, hotels, and restaurants have unleashed their walls for art exhibitions. Similarly concerts are being staged in alternative locations. Venues can serve more than one purpose.
What about one’s home? A home is your castle. Home is where the heart is. It’s the last place of safety and tranquility. Why should you turn it into a concert hall or art gallery? Because you turn a concert and an art exhibition into a very special event —- one with a personal touch that is unique only to you, the host.
Last evening, we hosted a small intimate guitar solo concert in our one bedroom apartment in Maui. Dutch guitarist Robert Bekkers gave a half-hour performance of four pieces he will play in Boston next month. We were privileged to sit so close to hear this private performance.
Robert Bekkers guitarist in private house concert in Wailuku. Photo: Tommy Nahulu
After dinner, Maui-based artist Frances Ku revealed her latest work — yet untitled piece in watercolour. I had asked her to paint one for our piano guitar duo for years. We are always looking for new original artwork or photographs for our concert invitations, posters, publicity, and CDs.
“Wow!” was the unanimous and simultaneous reaction. She had neither signed or framed it yet — literally hot off the press, still drying.
Frances Ku with latest work: piano and guitar in watercolour. Photo: Tommy Nahulu
Could we have invited more people to this private event? Yes and No.
We wanted to. But we did not have enough chairs, wine glasses, and plates.
Next time, we should just ask our guests to bring their own.
It goes to show that a concert and/or an art exhibition can take place whenever there is a will to make it happen. Even in one bedroom apartments — as we have experienced in Amsterdam and now, Maui!
Frances Ku, artist and new painting. Photo: Brian Moto
Note: Robert took photos of this painting and immediately made a CD cover for the new CD Live at Duke 2010, pictured below.
Bekkers Piano Guitar Duk Live at Duke 2010 CD album
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Well done Frances! Sounds like a great idea and I’m sure everyone attending had a lovely experience.
Thanks! The painting was an organic process…I’m flattening it out (watercolors tend to warp) using a heavy book given to me by our father called “20,000 Years of World Painting.”