Blood Makes Noise
Take a listen to this playlist inspired by the themes in Blood: Medieval/Modern
Body Content
Blood, perhaps because it is so inherently part of being human, has been a universal source of inspiration for art.
Throughout history, its mention, depiction, and use has fascinated and repelled visual artists and their audiences. That influence is the subject of Getty’s latest exhibition, Blood: Medieval/Modern on now through May 19, 2024.
As an accompaniment–to listen to while viewing Blood in the galleries or exploring its art on the exhibition page–we’ve put together this playlist of music inspired by the themes of religion, medicine, geniology, periods, violence, and HIV/AIDS in the show.
Check out a few examples below:
PMS Blues - Dolly Parton
“Eve you wicked woman, you done put your curse on me.” Nobody quite captures the unique experience of being a woman like Dolly Parton. And medieval menstrual cycles helped Larisa Grollemond, Assistant Curator of Manuscripts, come up with the idea for this exhibition thanks to its social media success.
DNA. - Kendrick Lamar
In DNA. Kendrick Lamar explores his identity as a Black man in America and the disparity between society’s view of blackness and his own. DNA refers to what is "in your blood" and what is perceived to be: family history, trauma, and stereotypes.
Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle’s 1998 work Glenn, Dario, and Tyrone, also featured in the exhibition, draws on the imagery and technology of genomic mapping to tell its own story of blood and inheritance.
Queer Blood America, 2021, Jordan Eagles. 1982 Captain America, blood of queer man, collection tube, blue nitrile gloves, plexiglass, UV resin. Courtesy of the artist. © Jordan Eagles
In the Blood - Better than Ezra
In In the Blood, lead singer Kevin Griffin asks “Who did you love before, and who did they love?” a direct if not damning question insinuating the transmission of HIV through blood. The HIV/AIDS epidemic stigmatized the blood of the LGBTQ+ community, banning many from donating blood from 1985 to 2023.
Murder on the Dance Floor - Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Thanks to Saltburn, this song has had an explosive return to popularity. Aside from this song being an absolute banger, the movie depicts a memorable scene involving blood. If you know, you know.
Blood:Medieval/Modern, on view at the Getty Center until May 19, 2024 will also stick in your memory. In the meantime, enjoy these tunes:
The Fantasy of the Middle Ages
An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds$29.95/£25
