Studio Sound: Sable Elyse Smith

Studio Sound: Sable Elyse Smith

Performance

Wednesday, July 10, 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, July 11, 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 13, 3:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 13, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, July 14, 3:00 p.m. (followed by a conversation between the artists and associate curator Martha Joseph)

MoMA, Floor 4

The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Studio

Studio Sound: Sable Elyse Smith presents a new operatic work, If you unfolded us, by interdisciplinary artist and writer Sable Elyse Smith, in collaboration with composer David Dominique and vocalist Freddie June. Serving as the first part of a larger ongoing project, the performance intertwines an unfolding love story between two Black women with the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. 

Smith’s approach begins with language and explores her interest in the voice as artistic material in this multimedia operatic performance. The work is structured in two parts, each comprising a series of songs that weave together a narrative of desire, rejection, self-discovery, and resilience. 

Dominique’s score fuses traditional and popular musical forms, with influences ranging from R&B and jazz to musique concrète and contemporary chamber music. Set against the backdrop of a developing storm, the performance explores the political, collective, and dramatic potential of the voice, as well as the ways in which language dissolves through sonic expression.

Matinee performances on July 13 and July 14 are free with Museum admission. Capacity for all performances is limited and advance registration is required. 

Organized by Martha Joseph, Associate Curator, with May Makki, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Media and Performance. Produced by Lizzie Gorfaine, Associate Director and Producer, Performance and Live Programs, with Nora Chellew, Assistant Performance Coordinator, Performance and Live Programs.

Major support for the exhibition is provided by the Sarah Arison Endowment Fund for Performance and by the Wallis Annenberg Director's Fund for Innovation in Contemporary Art.

Generous funding is provided by The Young Patrons Council of The Museum of Modern Art.