The Nasher Museum of Art

July 2 - October 18, 2009

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May 7 - July 26, 2009

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May 21 - November 29, 2009

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On view in the Mary D.B.T. Semans Great Hall

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William Cordova works frequently with discarded everyday objects to create mixed-media installations, building on the traditions of art historical movements such as "dada" and "arte povera." Materials like vinyl records, tapes, and Peruvian gourds carry both personal and cultural meaning for the artist. In this case vinyl records function symbolically as vessels of history, culture and memory. The items at the base suggest the presence of an informal shrine.

The title "Greatest Hits" has deeper significance for Cordova than just a "best-of" album. The Afro-Peruvian artist is interested in the cultural accomplishments of individuals and groups that have often been overlooked in mainstream history. Cordova has said, "My focus in creating the 'Greatest Hits' sculpture was to bring up and address a deeper, more physical understanding of our lack of historical memory by referencing popular culture labels more often used for music compilations like 'greatest hits.'" Recording artists like Cream, The Rolling Stones and Simon and Garfunkel have credited traditional folk songs as the basis for some of their most popular hits, but the specific artists and cultures from whom they have borrowed have not been recognized or credited until recently. Each record in the tower acts as a marker to remind us of those who have come before in the music industry and other fields.

Image: William Cordova, "Greatest Hits (para Micaela Bastidas, Tom Wilson y Anna Mae Aquash)," 2008. Column of 3,000 reclaimed vinyl records, Peruvian gourds, vhs tape, cigar, pennies, candle, record sleeves and wooden base. Originally commissioned by Artpace San Antonio. Courtesy of the artist. Image by Peter Paul Geoffrion.

In Dario Robleto's triptych, "Lamb of Man/ Atom and Eve/ Americana Materia Medica," the artist imagines his own musical groups, their sounds and aesthetics, and gives them life through fictive album covers. The work depicts three record labels and their output for a year, as seen through the lens of conflicting points of view in America: religious fundamentalism, scientific rational and American "roots" medicine. The multi-disciplinary nature of this work--visual art, history, music, philosophy, science, religion--fits well with the museum's support of interdisciplinary research and education. The work will be part of "The Record," a group exhibition organized by Trevor Schoonmaker, curator of contemporary art, and opening August 2010.

Image: Dario Robleto, "Lamb of Man/ Atom and Eve/ Americana Materia Medica" (detail), 2006-2007. Colored paper, cardboard, ribbon, foamcore, glue, willow. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University Fund for Acquisitions with additional funds provided by Dr. Peter H. Klopfer, the children of Marilyn M. Segal in her honor, and the bequest of Viola Mitchell Fearnside, by exchange.