Julie Mehretu at Performa 17, New York

Julie Mehretu and Jason Moran’s commission ‘MASS (HOWL, eon)’ is performed at Harlem Parish as part of Performa 17.

The songs by composer and visual artist Moran were created in response to Mehretu’s signature mark-making style he observed while visiting during the creation of her two monumental works HOWL, eon (I, II). The songs, written on an electric piano, are fast-paced and melancholic, similar to those played at funeral processions in New Orleans.

Founded in 2004, Performa is dedicated to presenting performance art and exploring its critical role throughout art history. Since 2005 the biennial has commissioned more than 64 new works, presented over 450 artists, and collaborated with numerous curators and institutions to stage cross-disciplinary events involving dance, film, music, architecture and food across New York City.