“Rewind, Remix, Replay”: An Audible Exhibit at SMoCA

Contemporary art museums are supposed to be filled with the latest in edge, style and avant-garde artwork. A display of 23 electric guitars? Not so much.

Yet for “Rewind Remix Replay,” the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art becomes an unexpected music venue, housing a massive collection of guitars, boom boxes, turntables, keyboards, synthesizers and nearly every kind of music listening device known to man.

But the music isn’t for playing. Rather, the collection explores the evolution of modern music consumption and instrument design.

The exhibition is divided into seven sections, glorifying various aspects of music culture. There’s the Record Store, with a case of music memorabilia, a wall of vinyl album covers and a photo slideshow, and the Personal Portable Stereo station, where visitors are surrounded by Walkmans, iPods and other variations on the mini-player. There are sections filled with boom boxes, turntables, synthesizers and solid body electric guitars. There’s even a DJ station for visitors to bring their own records to spin.

Throughout the exhibition, multiple stations invite visitors to take part in the music. They can hear how audio changes from vinyl to MP3 tracks, or watch clips from Madonna videos or “Back to the Future.” (Marty McFly offers an unexpected, but relevant, perspective on 80s music in the exhibition, as do Bill and Ted.) The audio clips, however, are unfortunately short. The CD listening station offers only 15-second clips from Miles Davis, Yeasayer and Tim Buckley.

“Rewind Remix Replay” is designed to be interactive. After turning the first corner of the exhibition, visitors stop at a station with two computers connected to the exhibition Web site. The station’s placement is unfortunate — wouldn’t it make more sense to “Send an e-Card!” or “Share your experiences!” at the end of your visit? —  but the idea of interaction is interesting, and it resonates throughout the exhibition.

The final section before the exit is a room with a few couches, home stereos (including a lust-worthy iPod-compatible GenevaSound stereo) and a TV to play Guitar Hero (Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday) or DJ Hero (Wednesday, Friday or Sunday). Visitors can also post notes in certain areas of the exhibition, sharing their favorite moments in music history or personal experiences with the equipment. One visitor, a self-described professional DJ, explained how the exhibition evoked nostalgia: “In this exhibit I saw everything from my childhood Fisher Price record player to my current Technics 1200 turntables,” the audiophile writes. “Thank you.”

That nostalgia is a cornerstone of the exhibition. Scattered across a whole wall is a time line of major advances in pop music — new technologies, record-breaking albums, era-defining trends. The wall, with its bubbles of trivia text and bright colors, is slightly reminiscent of the classic VH1 program and music nerd favorite, “Pop Up Video.” (The connection is strengthened by the music video stations throughout the exhibit.)

But while some blurbs on the wall mark historical events, others ask questions. “What’s better than a guitar with two necks?” reads a bubble in 1974. “How did eBay change how DJs spent their Sundays?” asks 1995. Visitors can get answers to those questions, and more help along their way, using their cell phones to dial in to SMoCA’s neat cellular audio guide.

And that’s probably the best thing about “Rewind Remix Replay.” The exhibition could easily cater to the Rob Gordon-esque music snobs who already know a great deal about music and how it’s produced. But instead, the exhibition welcomes both the girl who can shred on a Les Paul and the guy who can barely work an iPod, the seasoned DJ and the Garage Band beginner. “Rewind Remix Replay” is about accessibility and appreciation, from all walks of musical life.

If you go…

“Rewind Remix Replay”
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
On display until May 23

7374 E. 2nd St.
Scottsdale, 85251
480-874-4666
http://www.smoca.org/

Hours:
Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Free!)
Sundays: Noon – 5 p.m.

Admission:
$7 Adults
$5 Students
Free for SMoCA members and 15 and under
Free on Thursdays

Contact the reporter at jessica.testa@asu.edu

Tagged as: museum, music, SMoCA