The Clyfford Still Museum in Denver is opening a multisensory exhibition called "Still in Sound" on May 16, curated by Bailey Placzek and British artist Ben Coleman. The exhibition pairs the museum's vast collection of abstract expressionist works with sound-driven experiences. Additionally, the museum commissioned a world-premiere symphony, James Clarke's "Symphony No. 2," which will be performed by the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall on May 7. The program also includes music that inspired Still himself, such as works by Beethoven and Mahler, drawn from the artist's personal record collection.
This initiative matters because it challenges the traditional hushed atmosphere of art museums, making abstract expressionism more accessible and joyful for a broader audience. By translating visual art into sound, the museum invites people who may feel intimidated by terms like "abstract expressionism" to engage with Still's work on an emotional, sensory level. The project also reinforces the Clyfford Still Museum's role as a cultural hub in Denver, collaborating with performing artists to expand the boundaries of how art is experienced and understood.