MaxNeuhaus
Biography
Max Neuhaus (1939 Texas, USA- 2009 Maratea Italy) Max Neuhaus was an American musician and artist, renowned for pioneering the concept of sound installations in public spaces. In the early 1960s, Neuhaus gained recognition as a percussion soloist, touring with avant-garde composers Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. He performed solo recitals at Carnegie Hall and across Europe, interpreting contemporary experimental music. His 1968 album, “Electronics & Percussion: Five Realizations by Max Neuhaus”, stands as an early example of live electronic music. Transitioning from performance, Neuhaus began creating sound installations—continuous sound environments integrated into public spaces. He coined the term "sound installation" to describe these works, which were neither music nor events but sound placed in space. His first such work, “Drive-in Music” (1967), was followed by notable installations like “Times Square” (1977) in New York City, where a resonant drone emanated from beneath a subway grate, and “Time Piece Beacon” (2005) at Dia:Beacon in New York. Neuhaus's installations often involved extensive research into the history, architecture, and social context of chosen sites, creating subtle yet transformative auditory experiences. His work has been featured in institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, as well as international venues like Documenta in Kassel, Germany, and the Venice Biennale. Throughout his career, Neuhaus challenged traditional perceptions of sound and space, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art and the use of sound within it. He passed away from cancer in Maratea, Italy, in 2009.
