The Clyfford Still Museum in Denver has opened 'Still In Sound,' a new exhibition that pairs five of Clyfford Still's paintings with original audio interpretations created by contemporary artists. Curated by Ben Coleman and Bailey Placzek, the show invites artists like Kalyn Heffernan and Michael Schumacher to respond sonically to Still's works, drawing on the museum's archives of the artist's voice recordings and personal record collection. Each audio piece plays on a loop from speakers positioned directly above the corresponding painting, with sounds ranging from rhythmic beats and hisses to New Orleans jazz and car engines.
This exhibition matters because it challenges traditional museum conventions by centering an auditory, multi-sensory experience alongside visual art, honoring Still's belief that there is no single correct interpretation of his work. By giving artists unrestricted access to archival materials and creative freedom, the museum models a more collaborative and experimental approach to curation. It also opens up Still's often-intimidating abstract expressionist paintings to broader audiences through the accessible entry point of sound.