The Indianapolis Museum of Art and Eskenazi Health have partnered to launch Sound Expeditions, a new collection of site-based composition and sound art from around the world that will also commission new works within the Indianapolis community.
The digital archive will be available for public access on the Sound Expeditions SoundCloud page. The collection will include pieces commissioned by Eskenazi Health and also works developed for existing IMA programming and events.
The concept for Sound Expeditions was developed by Michael Kaufmann, director of special projects and civic investment for Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County.
"The vision is to create a soundtracked city in which spaces and places both familiar and unfamiliar take on a new layer of meaning and experience," Kaufmann said.
"The IMA is thrilled to be a partner on the Sound Expeditions project," said Scott Stulen, curator of audience experiences and performance at the IMA. "The IMA has a history of supporting, presenting and collecting cutting edge work in a variety of artistic disciplines. The Sound Expeditions project extends this legacy into the realm of sound works by helping to establish one of the first archives of site-specific sound works."
The first work to be added to the collection is "From Rivers" by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. The work was commissioned for the grand opening of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health campus and made its public debut at the Hilbert Circle Theatre on Jan. 26, 2014.
The Sound Expeditions project is part of Eskenazi Health’s public art program and Marianne Tobias Music Program in collaboration with the IMA and New Amsterdam Presents.
"Not only do the arts enhance the health and vitality of our community, but research has also demonstrated the importance of the arts in health care outcomes," said Dr. Lisa Harris, chief executive officer of Eskenazi Health. “That's why art in its various forms is central to our model of health and healing, and the "From Rivers" composition is an important contribution to this approach."
The Sound Expeditions collection will continue to grow with future contributions from composers such as Oliver Blank, Stuart Hyatt, Jordan Munson, Olga Bell, Roberto Lange (Helado Negro) and Hanna Benn. Other future additions from the IMA include works from the opening of The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres and the 2014 Autumn Equinox.
About the Indianapolis Museum of Art
Founded in 1883, the Indianapolis Museum of Art serves the creative interests of its communities by fostering exploration of arts, design and the natural environment. Encompassing 152 acres of gardens and grounds, the IMA is among the 10 oldest and 10 largest encyclopedic art museums in the United States and features significant collections of African, American, Asian, European, contemporary art and design arts that spans 5,000 years of history. Additionally, art, design and nature are featured at The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens, a historic Country Place Era estate and National Historic Landmark on the IMA grounds, and the Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Indiana, one of the country’s most highly regarded examples of mid-century Modernist residences. For more information visit www.imamuseum.org.
About Eskenazi Health
For 155 years, Eskenazi Health has provided high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered health care to the residents of Marion County and Central Indiana. Accredited by The Joint Commission, nationally recognized programs include a Level I trauma center, regional burn center, comprehensive senior care program, women’s and children’s services, teen and adolescent care programs, Eskenazi Health Midtown Community Mental Health, and a network of primary care sites located throughout the neighborhoods of Indianapolis known as Eskenazi Health Center. In partnership with the Regenstrief Institute, Eskenazi Health conducts groundbreaking work that informs health information technology around the globe. Eskenazi Health also serves as the sponsoring hospital for Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services. As the public hospital division of the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County (HHC), Eskenazi Health partners with the Indiana University School of Medicine whose physicians provide a comprehensive range of primary and specialty care services. In December 2013, Eskenazi Health moved to its new main campus and opened the brand new Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital. The new modern and efficient facility is on track to become the country’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver campus and offers unique features like a one-of-a-kind sky farm and extensive art collection. Eskenazi Health was the recipient of $40 million gift from Indianapolis couple Sidney and Lois Eskenazi to assist with building the brand new hospital facilities. HHC recognized this generous gift by naming the new hospital and health system in the Eskenazis’ honor.
About Caroline Shaw
Shaw is a New York-based musician, appearing in many types of genres. She was the recipient of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Music, making her, at 30, the youngest composer to receive the distinction. Shaw performs primarily as a violinist with the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) and as a vocalist with Roomful of Teeth. She began playing violin at age 2 and, as a child, would go on hospital rounds playing for patients with her father who was a physician. She was attracted to Eskenazi Health for its mission of serving the vulnerable populations of Marion County.
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CONTACT: Todd Harper
Phone: 317.880.4785
Pager: 317.310.5972
Email: todd.harper@eskenazihealth.edu