The Art of Music

The Art of Music

The Art of Music, September 26 through January 25, 2016, at the San Diego Museum of Art, is a big exhibition, in fact the largest show SDMA has presented in many years. This expansive exhibition is SDMA’s gift to the community in honor of the centennial celebration of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Music permeated the 1915 fair, as performances took place nearly every day during that exposition. So, why not combine music and visual art as homage to the 1915 fair that really put San Diego on the map. In 1915, the nation, indeed the world, took notice of this southwestern town, which was the first stop for the ship that made the inaugural cruise through the newly completed Panama Canal.

On view will be many works that explore the intersection of visual art and music — sight and sound. More than 200 paintings, sculptures, and photographs will be displayed along with sound and installation art, contemporary video, and musical instruments from countries around the globe. Three themes will be explored: the musician and his symbolism; the social function of music; and abstract expressionism. (619.232.7931, www.sdmart.org)   Darlene G. Davies

Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony no. 9: Solo. Vocal part, copyist manuscript. The Juilliard Manuscript Collection. Photography by Ardon Bar Hama; Pablo Picasso, Ma Jolie, 1913–14. Oil on canvas. Indianapolis Museum of Art, USA / Bequest of Mrs. James W. Fesler / Bridgeman Images. © 2015 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York