Doug Aitken's Song 1 at the MCA

Overview

This summer is set to be a wet one thanks to our friend La Niña coming to visit, so summer in Sydney will probably be spent in art galleries and coffee shops. Though, we're not complaining because, this summer, celebrated American artist Doug Aitken will be exhibiting one of his largest video installations, Song 1, at the Museum of Contemporary Art as part of the Doug Aitken: New Era exhibition.

In tandem with his other work, Aitken is internationally recognised for his experimental practice using light, reflection, photography, sound and multi-screen environments where time and space are fluid — and Song 1 (2012/2015), is no different. In this 35-minute installation, you can expect a 360-degree experience of sound and projections focused around varied performances of The Flamingos' classic track, I Only Have Eyes For You. 

The installation features a range of talent from everyday people to professional performers like Beck, Tilda Swinton, Devandra Banhart and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.

Doug Aitken, SONG 1 (still), 2021/2015, commissioned with generous production support by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, courtesy the artist; 303 Gallery, New York; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich; Victoria Miro Gallery, London; and Regen Projects, Los Angeles, copyright the artist.

Song 1 opens at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday, December 3. For more information and to book, visit the website. 

Top Image: Doug Aitken, SONG 1 (still), 2021/2015, commissioned with generous production support by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, courtesy the artist; 303 Gallery, New York; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich; Victoria Miro Gallery, London; and Regen Projects, Los Angeles, copyright the artist.