New Exhibit Blends Music and Visual Art

INDIANAPOLIS — A fascinating new exhibit combines two human senses to create a one-of-a-kind creative experience.

The show, Sight + Sound, allows visitors to investigate the profound links between what they see and hear. The curators created the exhibit to explore the creative connection between visual art and music, allowing each artist to convey this idea in their own unique approach.

To put it simply, it’s an art exhibition in which music is fundamental, with each piece influenced by or interwoven with sound. Constance Edwards Scopelitis and Rachel Hellmann, two Indianapolis-based artists participating in the show, recently talked about the exhibit and their contributions.

“For me, it was definitely just relating to the emotions and even the romance of music itself and the lyrics,” Scopelitis shared. While Scopelitis sees natural links between the words and her works, music resonates differently for Hellmann.

“My work is probably more nuanced. It has to do with the rhythm and the feel and tone, which are often similar words that you might use to describe a song or music,” she explained.

The Sight | Sound exhibit features work by a variety of nationally famous artists, including Andy Warhol’s sketches and pictures of Michael Jackson and a Russell Young screen print of Jimi Hendrix.

The show is on display at the Long-Sharp Gallery, 1 N. Illinois St., and will be open until New Year’s Day 2025. To kick off the exhibit, the gallery will hold a special “First Friday” event on late Friday from 6 to 9:00. Scopelitis and Hellmann intend to attend, ready to interact with people.

It adds meaning to the work to have that connection,” Hellmann said. “I really look forward to it.”

Interestingly, this isn’t the only art-meets-music experience currently happening in the area. Just around the corner, in the lobby of the Conrad Hotel, visitors can view photographic prints by Bernie Taupin, the legendary songwriter best known for his work with Elton John. One of Taupin’s paintings is featured in the Sight | Sound exhibit, further blending the lines between music and visual art.