Experience Urban Nightlife at The Broad’s ‘Nonobject(ive): Summer Happenings’

Rachael McDonald

This summer, The Broad’s four-part series brings us some cultural nightlife with a lineup of eclectic artists and innovators. Inspired by The Broad collection, “Nonobject(ive): Summer Happenings” serves as a conduit for ephemeral art that lives in the moment, providing visitors with intangible immersive experiences. From now until September, one Saturday a month will feature a performance experience by a handful of influential artists and performers framed by prolific works from The Broad’s collection. Featuring musicians, performers, dancers and spoken word poets in various spaces throughout the plaza, the series breathes nightlife into the museum.  

Each artist takes thematic influence and inspiration from the works of the ‘80s and ‘90s, which helped shape Manhattan’s underground party and cultural scenes along with the iconic self-portraiture of the featured artist in The Broad’s first special exhibition, Cindy Sherman. Kicking off the series in late June, “Nonobject(ive): Summer Happening’s” first evening, “Magnificent Obsession,” featured work and experiences specifically inspired by the current special exhibition “Cindy Sherman: Imitation of Life.”

July’s Happening entitled “Strange Forest, Downtown Manhattan and the Broad collection” highlights art’s influences throughout the urban jungle. Punk legend Richard Hell and spooky ambient experimental musician Haxan Cloak collaborate to generate a powerfully ambient spoken word experience while collaborative dance and visual art experiences brought by a handful of other artists and musicians keep the urban jungle alive throughout the night. August’s “Bling Bling, Pop Sensibilities” explores the pop art dimensions of The Broad’s collection; Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein’s graphic paintings surrounded by Jeff Koon’s metallic balloon animals set the environment for Footwork and yoga. The final “Happening” in September celebrates rave and club cultures with “Shifting Horizon Exploding Star, Underground and Rave Cultures at The Broad” featuring Andreas Gurksy’s large-scale photography and Mikey Kelley’s sculptural installations brought further to life by accompanying multimedia electronic performances, lasers and pulsing music.

“Nonobject(ive): Summer Happenings at The Broad” will be taking place one Saturday a month throughout the summer at various locations at The Broad through Sept. 24.