A Park Avenue Armory Commission
tears become...streams become...
Douglas Gordon
Hélène Grimaud
December 11, 2014 - January 4, 2015
Wade Thompson Drill Hall
Art, music, and architecture converge in the latest work by Turner Prize-winning artist Douglas Gordon and acclaimed pianist Hélène Grimaud. This site-specific installation features an immense field of water that harnesses light, reflection, music, and sound to amplify and transform the Wade Thompson Drill Hall, encouraging viewers to acknowledge their surroundings and reexamine one of the most historic spaces in New York.
For ten nights only, Grimaud will perform a program of water-themed works by Debussy, Ravel, Liszt, and others within the space, creating a confluence of live music and visual art that allows audiences to experience this celebrated music in a refreshingly new way. The large-scale installation will also be open to the public during the day, offering viewers a more meditative and reflective experience, with a player piano silently performing as both an evocation of the previous night’s recital and a premonition of performances to come.
The result is a genre-defying, deeply moving experience, which not only turns the Armory’s iconic architecture quite literally upside down, but turns on its head the traditional concert-going experience for audiences while redefining the creative practice of one of the most prominent visual artists of his generation.
Installation Hours
December 11, 2014–January 4, 2015
Tuesday–Wednesday: 12:00pm–6:00pm
Thursday: 12:00pm–8:00pm
Friday–Saturday: 12:00pm–6:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am–5:00pm
Performances
December 9–21, 2014
Tuesday–Wednesday at 8:00pm
Friday–Saturday at 8:00pm
Sunday at 7:00pm
“…a compelling, boldly original work, a dramatic combination of art installation, light show and piano recital that explores themes of water.”
The New York Times
“Visually, the exhibition is a true sight to behold. The immense, arching ceiling of the space is mirrored almost perfectly by the watery surface below it, revealing an ellipsoidal illusion that captures the audience within its field.”
Art Observed
Gallery
Related Videos
Production Credits
Commissioned by Park Avenue Armory
Related Events
Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 6:00pm
Artist Talk: tears become…streams become…
A discussion with Douglas Gordon and Hélène Grimaud, moderated by Alex Poots, Park Avenue Armory Artistic Director.
Support
Support for tears become… streams become… has been generously provided by Ken Kuchin and Tyler Morgan and by Arup, the British Council, the Grand Marnier Foundation, and the Robert Lehman Foundation. This production is supported by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
tears become… streams become… is also made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
