When Music Moves Art

Join us for a unique interdisciplinary program exploring how sound and vibration from live music affect works of art.

In recent years, museums around the world have raised concerns about the impact of vibrations from music on the safety and longevity of their collections. As more institutions host musical events in or near galleries, questions have emerged about the consequences of sound on nearby artworks. Despite these concerns, very few scientific studies have examined how music affects artwork displayed in the galleries.

To advance understanding into this topic, engineers at Wiss, Janey, Elstner Associates (WJE) and Kemper Art Museum staff were part of an international research team to develop a Good Practice Guide for Musical Events at Museums. As part of this research, WJE has developed custom software and instrumentation to measure the specific sound frequencies and vibrations most likely to affect artworks.

On April 7 and 8, the WJE research team will partner with the Kemper Art Museum to pilot these new monitoring methods during a series of performances by a live band and DJ in the Museum galleries.

On Wednesday, April 8, from 5 to 6 pm visitors are invited to see the monitoring equipment in action, learn more about the data collection process, and speak directly with the researchers in Ebsworth Gallery, while enjoying a live musical performance. Following the viewing, from 6 to 7 pm, the WJE research team will present their findings and discuss what this work could mean for museums worldwide.

This event is free and open to the public. Free parking in the East End garage after 5pm.

WJE Research Team:

Arne Johnson, PE, SE, Co-Lead Investigator and Principal-in-Charge

Mohamed ElBatanouny, PhD, SE, Co-Lead Investigator

Luke Traverso, Project Engineer

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Host or Publisher Kemper Art Museum at WashU