It's a Different Nick Cave
September 21, 2012 10:34 AM   Subscribe

Nick Cave's Soundsuits: Calling up echoes of wild beasts, Carnival dancers, maskers and shamans, the "soundsuits" made of a wild diversity of materials by visual artist and dancer Nick Cave have life beyond the gallery. They're designed to be used in performances and 'invasions,' creating a sense of mystery, playfulness and joyful moments of community.
posted by Miko (14 comments total) 18 users marked this as a favorite
 
My daughters preschool took the kids to see these at SAM, and she talked about it for a long time afterwards. We still have a postcard on the fridge.

Not, BTW, a side project of Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave, as we thought for some time. Also the comic writer Warren Ellis is NOT a member of The Bad Seeds.
posted by Artw at 10:43 AM on September 21, 2012 [2 favorites]


I see the title covers that... :-)
posted by Artw at 10:44 AM on September 21, 2012


He's actually the first Nick Cave came to mind. First heard about him 10 years ago, and the idea of soundsuits was one of those things that just sticks with you.
posted by yohko at 10:45 AM on September 21, 2012


Nice to see them in motion - I have only seen them still, which is stunning enough.
posted by louche mustachio at 10:55 AM on September 21, 2012


My first thought watching the dancers moving in the suits- "Oooh, that must be FUN."


My second thought "Oof, that must be HOT."
posted by louche mustachio at 11:06 AM on September 21, 2012


One of the soundsuits, and possibly Nick Cave, are on the June 2012 cover of ARTnews.

Unfortunately the article isn't on that site, and I don't think html has a protocol for linking to this paper magazine I bought in a fit of soundsuit enthusiasm.
posted by yohko at 11:12 AM on September 21, 2012


Could we get one of these suits made for "No Pussy Blues". Damn!
posted by incandissonance at 11:18 AM on September 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


Bah! I thought you meant the black crow king...
Having said that, this is interesting stuff....
posted by Monkeymoo at 11:19 AM on September 21, 2012


OH YES
posted by louche mustachio at 11:22 AM on September 21, 2012


I like this Nick Cave a lot better than the other one – thanks.
posted by koeselitz at 11:49 AM on September 21, 2012


It's also not, as I originally read it, "Nick Cave's Swimsuits," a Tumblr photostream chronicling the beach life of the sun-averse Birthday Party lead singer. The photos would cover most of his adult life, but still be strikingly similar: a doleful and annoyed Cave on a variety of Australian beaches, often smoking, always there against his will and better judgment at the urging of family or friends, always wearing a pair of quote-unquote trunks clearly improvised just before the beach trip by a man who's never actually bothered to buy a swimsuit in his life because what's the point really: black jean shorts, dress pants cut sloppily off at the mid-thigh, a pair of lady's culottes, boxer briefs...
posted by Ian A.T. at 12:29 PM on September 21, 2012 [7 favorites]


My partner loves nick cave, and is doing her undergrad thesis partially on his work. I love it as well, and am excited that it is getting more coverage.

It should also be mentioned that he is the on the faculty at SAIC.

I will try to get her to post a comment about him in this thread when she gets back next week.
posted by jonbro at 1:49 PM on September 21, 2012


My girlfriend and I saw a Nick Cave exhibition on our first date. It was pretty awesome.
posted by grouse at 3:59 PM on September 21, 2012


Godfather of Goth-punk.

If you call him three times he appears and kills you.
posted by Mezentian at 5:09 PM on September 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


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