Kay Larson: Why was John Cage happy?

Welcome to this lecture where Kay Larson, acclaimed art critic, columnist and editor talks about the composer John Cage’s relationship to happiness. The lecture is part of the program on Jeppe Hein’s exhibition and new work of art that is based on the artist’s desire to understand what happiness is. Both Cage and Hein are inspired by Zen Buddhism, and one can find influences of Eastern tradition in both their artistry.
John Cage, “one of the most influential composers in modern history” (as he has been called), was also one of the happiest. The story of how Cage found happiness – and used it to create new forms of music and art – offers a useful and original way of describing profound shifts in the cultural history of the last half-century. Cage learned from Zen Buddhism that there is no “gap” between art and life. In fact, there is no gap anywhere. Nothing separates us from others, or from the consequences of our actions. By asking spiritual questions and finding answers, Cage constructed an active happiness that opened his heart, mind and arms to others.
Kay Larson is the former art critic of New York Magazine (1980 – 1994) and was a frequent contributor to the New York Times (1995 – 2005).  She is author of the book Where the Heart Beats: John Cage, Zen Buddhism, and the Inner Life of Artists (Penguin Press, July, 2012) and a practicing Buddhist.
Limited number of seats. 80 kr; 60 kr for students and seniors. Free for members and all 20 and under. To be sure you get a ticket, book in advance at [email protected]