Hum c. late 1960s

Curator: Bob Sheff’s “Hum,” dated 1965, presents us with a set of instructions, almost a score, on how to… well, hum. Editor: It feels like a playful rebellion, doesn't it? A quiet act of resistance against the seriousness often associated with art and music. Curator: I think you’ve hit on something crucial. Consider the socio-political climate of 1965, the burgeoning counterculture movement… Editor: Exactly! This simple instruction, “go right ahead and HUM,” becomes a radical act of self-expression, accessible to everyone. It dismantles hierarchies. Curator: And the materials, seemingly just paper and text, reflect a democratization of art production. Anyone can participate. Editor: It's a reminder that creativity doesn't require grand gestures or expensive tools. It can be found in the simplest of actions. Curator: It makes me consider how institutions can better support these democratic forms of art making, amplifying voices outside of the mainstream. Editor: For me, it underscores the power of art to connect us to our inner selves and to each other, through a shared, unassuming act of humming.