Antoine’s Organ (2016) is a monumental, immersive multimedia installation by contemporary artist Rashid Johnson, on view as a part of his career-spanning exhibition, A Poem for Deep Thinkers. Serving as a metaphor for the artist’s own brain, the artwork explores complex themes of race, class, yearning, Afrocentric identity, and the subversion of cultural containment.

Named after the classically trained pianist and music producer Antoine Baldwin (also known as Audio BLK), who originally activated the work in its 2016 debut, a piano is hidden at the center of the labyrinthine structure. Throughout the exhibition’s run, musicians perform live improvisations from within the structure. Music floats through the foliage, giving life and cohering community through shared narrative.

Due to limited capacity, we encourage guests to cycle through the gallery during the performance.

About the Performer

Steve Million is a pianist, composer, and arranger from Chicago, by way of NTSU (Denton, TX), Kansas City, and New York. Million has led countless projects, resulting in recordings as a leader (Million to One, Thanks A Million, Truth Is, Poetic Necessities, Mood Point, Live in Racine, Remembering the Way Home), as well as JazzWords with singer Sarah Marie Young; What I Meant to Say with guitarist Steve Cardenas; and Perfectly Spaced with jazz violinist Mark Feldman. Million has also performed and recorded locally and abroad with jazz luminaries including Chris Potter, Randy Brecker, Dick Oatts, Steve Cardenas, Michael Moore, Ron Vincent, and Mark Feldman.