Well hung - John Cage retrospective uses ancient Chinese wisdom to great effect

Walking round the John Cage exhibition at The Hayward Gallery on London’s South Bank yesterday we were struck by the way the curator had put the show together.

Focusing largely on the legendary avant-garde composer and artist’s visual work, Every Day is a Good Day includes drawings, paintings and prints, as well as a selection of sound compositions which the visitor can listen to through headphones.

But it was the layout of the exhibition that particularly caught our attention, inspired as it is by Cage’s use of the I Ching, the ancient Chinese book of wisdom, and the methods of chance he employed in the composition of both his visual and audio work.

As Cage removed his intentions from his process of creation so the curator has removed theirs. Using an I Ching-derived computer programme, the works are displayed on the gallery walls at different heights and in groups that would not ordinarily be presented together. So please accept a Phaidon ripple of applause Cage curator, artist and RCA tutor, Jeremy Millar. You made what already promised to be a good show, great.

The exhibition is in the Project Space of the Hayward Gallery until 18 September. Entry to the exhibition is free.

Follow the link to FAD for more information on the John Cage exhibition.