Rock music – Granite sculptures at LSUMOA double as instruments

Visitors to the LSU Museum of Art have been discovering not just the size and artistry behind Jesús Moroles’ impressive granite sculptures, but what they sound like, too. The huge stonework (so huge, in fact, that the museum had to consult with an engineer to make sure it wouldn’t fall through the 5th floor exhibit space) is meant to be played, banged on with drums or rolled around the floor.

So how would granite sound in the hands of professional musicians? The museum invited Hamiruge, the LSU percussion group, for a jam session at its Museum After Dark series March 15. The ensemble, led by associate professor Brett Dietz, created a clever improvisation using some of the granite sculptures, as well as a few of their own instruments thrown in.

Check out a video of Hamiruge practicing before the event:

And see some photos of the ensemble trying out the stonework instruments for the first time here.

Jesús Moroles: Tearing Granite continues at the LSUMOA through April 29. Find out more about the exhibit at the LSUMOA website.

The smART City blog focuses on art and smart growth in the Baton Rouge area, as well as occasions when those two topics collide. Benjamin Leger is 225‘s assistant editor. Contact him at [email protected].