This Must Be The Place

This Must Be The Place

If you had plenty of time and felt like braving the listening wind (two Talking Heads puns in the first sentence. I'm on fire), you may have dropped by Vacant in Harajuku to see David Byrne's art exhibition.

So you probably know Byrne as the charismatic, peculiar-dance-moving, difficult to explain frontman of Talking Heads. I believe the first time I saw him on TV he looked like this:

This strange man in an oversized suit became an instant favourite, and whenever his awkward, intense gestures graced the screen I would do my best to imitate them with utmost accuracy. Of course I didn't really get the music as a kid, but at least it had a good beat and it was better than dancing to the theme from Degrassi. I got the music later in life, when I got most other things.

What you may not know about Byrne is that he's an avid supporter of the arts, and has dabbled in a range of media since the band's formation. Much of his artistic work has a political or social commentary, but it is sensitive and witty - as are many of his lyrics.

Everything is Connected billboard installation at Saks 5th Ave, 2002.

Click the image above for a detailed view.

The What Is It? series, 2002 - 2003. Installation view is from the Art Train at the Tokyo International Forum, 2002. My favourite by far.

Sleepless Nights: Hallways, 1979 - 1993.

Sleepless Nights: Purple Walls, 1979 - 1993.

The exhibition at Vacant included a small selection of Byrne's art, along with covetable rarities from the Talking Heads catalogue and Byrne's own collection.

Special mention goes to my favourite installation, the carpet of effects pedals.

People were hesitant to get on it, even though there was giant text on the floor saying "WALK ON ME". Here I am stomping away and generally making a hell of a racket. Thanks to Kumiko from Vacant who snapped this photo, and put up with my childish antics. But isn't that the point?

Unfortunately I was too busy at the time of the opening to meet the man himself, but the exhibition closed with a little performance by Buffalo Daughter and good cheer. Let's hope David Byrne never stops being creative and inspiring everyone.

Photos from the exhibition are by me. Other images are from Byrne's website.

Photographer Lynn Goldsmith once said of Byrne, "Some people find him distant, but I think that's because they are afraid to talk to him. They think he is Mr. Super Smart, and he is. He is smart enough not to judge people."

E.