A Little Bit Country — A Little Bit Rock and Roll

I know I’m goin’ to feel alright
No matter where I go
With little bit of country
And a little bit of rock ‘n roll
 

-“A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock’N’Roll”
    Written by Marty Cooper Performed by  Donny and Marie Osmond

For any great road trip adventure movie, two ingredients are required: the backdrop of a picturesque landscape and a soundtrack that encapsulates the adventure. Think Tammy Wynette’s “I Don’t Wanna Play House” in Thelma and Louise or Patti LaBelle’s rendition of “Over the Rainbow” in To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar or The Byrds’ “I Wasn’t Born to Follow” in Easy Rider. These movies express a longing to break free and “feel alright.” “A Little Bit Country, A Little bit Rock’N’Roll” doesn’t appear on any such movies soundtracks, even if the song’s last four lines form a perfect descriptor of their sentiment, a sentiment represented through the work in this exhibition.

A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock’N’Roll (the exhibition now, not the song) brings together the work of twelve artists from across the United States and both Arts of Life studios that deal with either music and/or landscape. Placed together the exhibition becomes a meditation on what it is to break free from the confines of the studio, our bodies, societal labels, etc. through recalled and imagined spaces and the lyrics and rhythms coming through our speakers. 

Featuring: Russell Copenharve – Mari Eastman – Nikole Heusman – Susan Pasowicz – Tyson Reeder – Jools Braiman-Rothblatt – Andrew Sloan – Jennifer Sullivan – Chris Viau – Cameron Welch – Jean Wilson – Quinn Zenner
 

Curated by: Morgan Mandalay