María Elena González (DG 2009) to have a solo show at Mills Art Museum. “Tree Talk” is the culmination of over ten years of work by the internationally recognized Brooklyn and Bay Area-based artist.
Exploring the translation between the physical and the acoustical, Tree Talk investigates the unexpected visual parallels between the bark of birch trees and cylindrical player piano rolls. González transcribed the distinctive bark pattern from three birch trees found at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine, and each tree yielded unique compositions for the player piano. Related drawings, prints, videos, and sound installation are featured in the exhibition, demonstrating González’s interest in both representations of sound as well as sound as a sculptural material. Programming during the exhibition will include a live performance featuring Mills music students using drawings of the tree bark as graphic scores, and a live performance of the player piano.
JANUARY 23–MARCH 17, 2019
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 26, 2019, 5-7PM