Motown #137
Materials: MDO, Vintage Radio, Resin, Color Photo, Photo Transfer, Acrylic
Framed Dimensions: 30 1/2” x 42 1/2” x 3”
2023
(Currently hanging at the Ontario Museum of History & Art in Ontario, CA.)
Motown is a look at the racism that existed in the world of mid-century radio broadcasting and how the Motown record label changed the future of radio.
In the 1940s Billboard Magazine labeled negro music as Race Music, which in the 50s changed to Rhythm & Blues, and by the end of the 60s became known as Soul. In the late 50s, a former automotive factory line worker from Detroit, Michigan named Berry Gordy tapped into the wealth of musical talent endemic to the city. Using the same assembly line process that churned out cars, Gordy manufactured musical success from Detroit's own raw talent. In the early 60s in the south, there was a movement to stop playing "negro music" on white stations. Crossover-capable stars like Little Stevie Wonder and The Supremes toppled racial boundaries and influenced the world. Within a few years, Motown was more than a musical empire that had influenced The Beatles, it was the battering ram that broke through race barriers on radio, television and the live stage.
Materials: MDO, Vintage Radio, Resin, Color Photo, Photo Transfer, Acrylic
Framed Dimensions: 30 1/2” x 42 1/2” x 3”
2023
(Currently hanging at the Ontario Museum of History & Art in Ontario, CA.)
Motown is a look at the racism that existed in the world of mid-century radio broadcasting and how the Motown record label changed the future of radio.
In the 1940s Billboard Magazine labeled negro music as Race Music, which in the 50s changed to Rhythm & Blues, and by the end of the 60s became known as Soul. In the late 50s, a former automotive factory line worker from Detroit, Michigan named Berry Gordy tapped into the wealth of musical talent endemic to the city. Using the same assembly line process that churned out cars, Gordy manufactured musical success from Detroit's own raw talent. In the early 60s in the south, there was a movement to stop playing "negro music" on white stations. Crossover-capable stars like Little Stevie Wonder and The Supremes toppled racial boundaries and influenced the world. Within a few years, Motown was more than a musical empire that had influenced The Beatles, it was the battering ram that broke through race barriers on radio, television and the live stage.
Materials: MDO, Vintage Radio, Resin, Color Photo, Photo Transfer, Acrylic
Framed Dimensions: 30 1/2” x 42 1/2” x 3”
2023
(Currently hanging at the Ontario Museum of History & Art in Ontario, CA.)
Motown is a look at the racism that existed in the world of mid-century radio broadcasting and how the Motown record label changed the future of radio.
In the 1940s Billboard Magazine labeled negro music as Race Music, which in the 50s changed to Rhythm & Blues, and by the end of the 60s became known as Soul. In the late 50s, a former automotive factory line worker from Detroit, Michigan named Berry Gordy tapped into the wealth of musical talent endemic to the city. Using the same assembly line process that churned out cars, Gordy manufactured musical success from Detroit's own raw talent. In the early 60s in the south, there was a movement to stop playing "negro music" on white stations. Crossover-capable stars like Little Stevie Wonder and The Supremes toppled racial boundaries and influenced the world. Within a few years, Motown was more than a musical empire that had influenced The Beatles, it was the battering ram that broke through race barriers on radio, television and the live stage.