blur the boundary between fashion, sculpture and performance

June 30, 2024 2:38 PM

Fiber artist and dancer Nick Cave is best-known for his elaborate head-to-toe Soundsuits, the first of which originated as a metaphorical suit of armor in response to Rodney King beating. He also has celebrated Black queer culture through "The Let Go" installation. Forothermore is a short documentary about his work. Previously on Mefi.

He named them for the rustling he heard as he moved around in them.

I never think anything is finished. But I do know when a piece has life, when it has a pulse, when it’s breathing…Then I can walk away because I know it can sustain itself in the world. (via)

Title of post from here.

posted by spamandkimchi (8 comments total)

It's all drag at some point, to some degree or another 🔈🔉🔊
posted by HearHere at 3:04 PM on June 30

Oh dang his work sounded cool from the description but I wasn't braced for quite how cool it is. Extremely cool. Will have to keep an eye out for when I can see it in person.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 3:27 PM on June 30 [1 favorite]

I’ve been to 5 of his shows since 2009, he’s that good of an artist. If you ever have a chance, go and see anything he puts out, you won’t be disappointed!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:10 PM on June 30 [1 favorite]

the word awesome is not enough to describe his work
posted by robbyrobs at 4:11 PM on June 30

The timing of this post is very odd considering that I saw one of his works today.
posted by May Kasahara at 4:21 PM on June 30 [1 favorite]

Once had the good fortune to attend an event at his South Chicago loft home, and the whole interior is made up of his art. Just bonkers good.
posted by migurski at 4:29 PM on June 30 [1 favorite]

Great post, spamandkimchi, thanks. That last link at CUNY has some thoughtful things to say about Cave's wider influence on contemporary art and fashion, along with noting how the soundsuits are good at "removing the gendered gaze" in addition to everything else they do.

I love when I encounter one of his pieces in museum wanderings; it will always stop me in my tracks in admiration. So gorgeous, and he's such a thoughtful, kind presence in interviews. One of my fave living artists.
posted by mediareport at 6:56 PM on June 30

Wow, that 8-minute "Forothermore" video is excellent - beautiful visuals and beautiful thoughts, including Cave talking at around 2min about how Chicago dance club culture helped validate his queerness and give him the confidence to be who he wanted to be. Great stuff.
posted by mediareport at 7:09 PM on June 30 [1 favorite]