Music before Columbus: The Collection of Luis Perez opens at the Museum of Ventura County on February 25, exhibiting Ventura-based musician and archaeomusicologist Luis Perez’s collection of Pre-Columbian musical instruments and ritual objects from Mesoamerica. A related exhibit entitled The White Instruments: Recent Creations by Luis Perez, features modern wind and percussion instruments sculpted in clay by Perez. He uses these Pre-Columbian inspired pieces to compose and record contemporary music. Both exhibits run through May 27, 2012.
Music before Columbus provides an introductory glimpse into the pre-Columbian world of music, dance and ritual with detailed information on selected artifacts. In a gallery video, visitors can hear the sounds made by several of the pieces. Perez, who grew up in Mexico City, has devoted himself to extensive research into Pre-Columbian music and mythology, the collection of archaeological artifacts, and the study of living musical traditions in Mexico.
