Composition 21

During two separate performances on Saturday, twenty-one female and nonbinary local musicians will stand atop amplifiers, organized into one of three bands performing on the Nasher lawn. This may sound like the beginning of a math word problem, but it’s also the set-up for Composition 21, an immersive musical experience that forms a “sculptural composition” from each sound. The event was organized by the Brooklyn-based installation and performance artist Naama Tsabar, whose work uses feminist theory to explore the relationships between audiences and performers. Composition 21 has been performed on New York City’s High Line and at Art Basel Miami Beach, among other places; this Durham performance includes local musicians H.C. McEntire, Reese McHenry, and Kym Register, among others. The event also celebrates the opening of a new sculpture garden which connects the Nasher Museum to the Rubenstein Arts Center.