MoMA PS1 Presents First Durational Museum Exhibition of Experimental Music Ensemble Standing on The Corner Opening June 1

Gio Escobar reading “Man May Not Last”, 2022.

MoMA PS1 will debut the first durational museum presentation by musical ensemble Standing on the Corner (American, est. 2016), led by Gio Escobar (b. 1995, New York). On view from June 1 through October 9, 2023, Standing on the Corner: Seven Prepared Pianos for the Seven African Powers brings together spiritual objects, modified instruments, and moving images. The centerpiece of the sonic, multimedia project is a large-scale installation consisting of seven pianos distinctly presented and prepared, with symbolic objects inserted into their strings to create apparitional interventions. The installation makes visible the inner workings of the pianos, as well as the artists’ intercession into the strings, through cameras installed inside of the instruments, with footage projected in real time. Bridging Standing on the Corner’s interest in the urban renditions of ancient devotional practices of the Caribbean and Africa, the project imagines how spiritual and natural forces intersect with and bewitch our objects and environment.

The installation will be activated during concerts at 7 p.m. on June 2 and 3 and September 8 and 9, 2023. These performances will harness the altered acoustics of each piano to summon the mysterious powers that possess them. Titled “Bembé Secreto,” the original composition incarnates powerful sonic interplays between African, Caribbean, and Western musical traditions. The concert, as well as the installation, connects Standing on the Corner’s interests in cultural and spiritual practices and forges connections between New York City, Puerto Rico, and African diasporic communities—reflecting Escobar’s own ancestral ties. Capacity for the concerts is limited and free tickets will be available at momaps1.org.

Established in 2016, Standing on the Corner is led by Gio Escobar. They have performed at MoMA PS1’s Warm Up music series in 2018 and venues such as the Serpentine, London; Bourse de Commerce–Pinault Collection, Paris; Blank Forms, New York; Performance Space New York, New York; and Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, New York. Their albums include Function OST (2021), Red Burns (2017), and Standing on the Corner (2016). They have collaborated with musicians such as Danny Brown (2021), Solange (2019), Earl Sweatshirt (2018), and MIKE (2018, 2017).

Standing on the Corner: Seven Prepared Pianos for the Seven African Powers is organized by Ruba Katrib, Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, MoMA PS1.

SUPPORT

Significant support for Standing on the Corner: Seven Prepared Pianos for the Seven African Powers is provided by Michi Jigarjian.

ABOUT MoMA PS1

MoMA PS1 champions art and artists at the intersection of the social, cultural, and political issues of our time. Providing audiences with the agency to ask questions, access to knowledge, and a forum for public debate, PS1 has offered insight into artists’ diverse worldviews for more than 40 years. Founded in 1976 by Alanna Heiss, the institution was a defining force in the alternative space movement in New York City, transforming a nineteenth century public schoolhouse in Long Island City into a site for artistic experimentation and creativity. PS1 has been a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) since 1982 and affiliated with The Museum of Modern Art since 2000.

Hours: MoMA PS1 is open from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday, and 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Admission: $10 suggested admission; $5 for students and senior citizens; free for New York State residents and MoMA members. Free admission for New York State residents is made possible by The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation. Tickets may be reserved online at mo.ma/ps1tickets.

Visitor Guide: Discover even more from MoMA PS1 with the Bloomberg Connects app. Read wall text, hear directly from artists, and uncover the building’s history with this multimedia visitor guide. This digital experience is made possible through the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Directions: MoMA PS1 is located at 22-25 Jackson Avenue at 46th Ave in Long Island City, Queens, across the Queensboro Bridge from midtown Manhattan. Traveling by subway, take the E, M, or 7 to Court Sq; or the G to Court Sq or 21 St Van Alst. By bus, take the Q67 to Jackson and 46th Ave or the B62 to 46th Ave.

Information: For general inquiries, call (718) 784-2084 or visit moma.org/ps1.