From a high-tech look at ancient Egypt to a large-scale mural that heightens joy, GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen talks about new arts and cultural events in Boston this week on Morning Edition with Arts.
Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience
On view now through October 2, 2022 at Boston’s SoWa Power Station On the same subject : The vision behind the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.
‘Beyond King Tut’ is having its world premiere in Boston to mark the 100th anniversary of Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. While many immersive experiences have recently sprung up in the region, from Van Gogh to Frida Kahlo, Bowen says this one is different. “It comes from the National Geographic archives, so it has more of a museum experience, there’s a narrative and a story that’s being told.”
It’s an exhibition that doubles as time travel, taking people back over 3,000 years to Egypt’s 18th century. to the dynasty “You walk into this huge room that becomes this fantastic experience,” says Bowen. “It depicts the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians about what it meant for a pharaoh to progress from Tut’s earthly kingdom to the afterlife.”
Noting that these immersive experiences are gaining traction in the arts and culture world, Bowen says it’s more than just a fad. “It’s a worthy trend. Nothing will ever replace the actual museum experience and seeing art up close, but this is a compromise. If you can’t get to the tombs, this is a great way to do it. “
Beyond King Tut / Beyond King Tut
Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs, “Breathe Life Together”
It is now on display in Boston’s Dewey Square through May 2023 See the article : Canton rockers Ohio Weather Band and Urban Honey release new music.
Bowen describes Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs as an artist and Roxbury-born “mural man.” Gibbs’ large-scale works include his most recent series, “Breathe Life.” Bowen says what Gibbs is doing is “authoring the city with these huge paintings that radiate so much joy.”
Gibbs’ latest work is “Breathe Life Together,” located on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Dewey Square, which cheers up the Tunnel Air Intake Structure. Every year the building receives a new mural by a different artist. This year, however, is the first time that a local artist has been given this commission. It’s also a first for a black man.
Bowen says the most satisfying thing about this mural is Gibbs’ daughter, Bobbi Lauren, who is now four. “This is his goal. He wants black and brown children to grow up in this city and he thinks that’s perfectly normal. It’s normal to see yourself in a mural.’
