Architecture in Music: Charles Brooks

Architecture in Music: Charles Brooks
presented in partnership with Festival Napa Valley

Main Gallery
“Making spaces seem larger than life”

featured image: Lockey Hill Cello, circa 1780

Date TBD. The Museum presents a world premiere exhibition pairing the extraordinary photographs of New Zealand photographer and musician Charles Brooks – each taken inside musical instruments –  with exceptional musical instruments on display – each a work of art. Together they create and populate rooms within rooms embodying the exquisite architecture of music. Learn about the process by which Brooks creates each image, involving the compilation of thousands of individual images, from video demonstrations of the photographer at work. Live chamber musical performances will take place inside the galleries throughout the exhibition.

This exhibition is presented in partnership with Festival Napa Valley.

Praise for the photographs of Charles Brooks:

“THE ASTONISHING ARRAY OF SHOTS, EACH COMPILED FROM HUNDREDS OF SEPARATE IMAGES, SHOW IN BRILLIANT DETAIL THE ‘VAST AND CAVERNOUS’ SPACES INSIDE THE INSTRUMENTS, APPEARING TO REPLICATE CATHEDRALS AND GRAND PALATIAL HALLWAYS.”
– The DailyMail UK

“…ALL OF WHICH APPEAR MORE LIKE BUILDINGS OR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE THAN MUSICAL COMPONENTS.”
– Collosal

“STUNNING PHOTOS REVEAL THE ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS HIDDEN WITHIN CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTS”
– 
My Modern Met

Exquisite Architecture of Steinway, Part 7 (signed limited edition print available)
All images ©Charles Brooks

About Charles Brooks

Welcome to the extraordinary world of Charles Brooks, where music and photography converge to create a breathtaking symphony of visual artistry. With an illustrious career as a cellist spanning over two decades, Charles brings a deep understanding of the drama and emotion of music to his photographic practice. Having held principal cello positions in China, Chile, and Brazil, Charles’ musical prowess has taken him to concert halls around the world. Since embarking on his full-time photographic journey in 2016, he has become one of the most celebrated and widely published photographers on the planet. His work has been featured in prestigious publications including National Geographic, NBC News, The Daily Mail, Der Spiegel, The Telegraph, Die Zeit, Lonely Planet, and countless others.

From the exquisite halls of the Paris Conservatoire to the groundbreaking research facilities of the Large Hadron Collider, Charles’ visionary works have found a home in some of the most diverse and captivating settings imaginable. Explore the stunning photographic universe of Charles Brooks, and experience the breathtaking intersection of art and music that defines his work.

Photo of Charles Brooks courtesy of the artist.