HSA Programs Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers Public Performance Series for July

The Guggenheim New York’s acclaimed rotunda exhibition Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers includes a dynamic series of live performances and public programs. Each month, a community partner curates spoken word, music, and live art events that bring to life Johnson’s two major installations: Sanguine, a monumental site-specific work on the museum’s top ramp that includes an embedded piano, and Rotunda Stage, an interactive space for performances on the rotunda floor. 

This July, the series features theatrical, spoken word, and music programming by Harlem School of the Arts (HSA), an organization dedicated to empowering youth to reach their full potential in the arts, education, and life, through interdisciplinary arts training. Their partnership with the Guggenheim will take shape through theater and live music on both Rotunda Stage and the Sanguine piano. In preparation, HSA music students will participate in a Creative Embodiment Workshop led by renowned sound designer, DJ, and artist Skooby Laposky. Laposky will prompt students to discuss and contemplate Johnson’s work and how space, place, and material affect performance. Insights from the workshop will inform students’ performances throughout the month, fostering deep thinking and creative expression within the exhibition.

In addition to the ongoing performance series, announced monthly, the Guggenheim will continue its after-hours Late Shift programming, as well as its teen-specific events. On Thursday, July 17, the museum will remain open until 8 pm for Late Shift, featuring a Rotunda Stage concert by Grammy Award–nominated jazz harpist and composer Brandee Younger and her ensemble, including Rashaan Carter, bass, and Allan Mednard, drums. 

This month, the museum will also offer extended summer hours every Thursday until 8 pm, except July 24. 

July programming includes:  

Late Shift  

Thursday, July 17, 5:30–8 pm 

Taking place every third Thursday, Late Shift invites visitors to explore the galleries, participate in curated artful experiences, and enjoy refreshments at a cash bar in Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic rotunda after-hours.  

July’s edition will feature a live performance by Grammy Award–nominated jazz harpist and composer Brandee Younger, joined by musicians Rashaan Carter, bass, and Allan Mednard, drums. In her latest album, Gadabout Season, released on June 13, Younger plays the newly restored harp of Alice Coltrane, an artistic influence she shares with Rashid Johnson.   

Teen Programming 

Learn more and register for Teen Circle 

Coinciding with Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers, the Guggenheim New York has launched Teen Circle, a free membership program for teens ages 13–18. The circle builds creativity and cultural connection for teens through art, community, and museum access.   

Teen Tuesday 

Tuesday, July 22, 4–5:30 pm  

Free with admission 

Urban Word NYC, one of the country’s oldest and most comprehensive youth literary arts organizations, will host a slam poetry session on Rotunda Stage.   

Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers July public performance series highlights: 

Live performances are Fridays at 4 pm and Sundays at 1 pm (Sanguine piano), and Saturdays at 1 pm and Mondays at 4 pm (Rotunda Stage). Performances range from 15 to 40 minutes.

Friday, July 4, 4 pm 

Sanguine Piano 

HSA student Mansour Kennon Brennon will perform music inspired by Sanguine. 

Sunday, July 6, 1 pm 

Sanguine Piano 

HSA student Landon Ifill will play the piano situated in Sanguine.

Friday, July 11, 4 pm 

Sanguine Piano 

HSA student Dominic Zow will play the piano situated in Sanguine.

Saturdays, July 12, 19, and 26, 1 pm 

Rotunda Stage 

HSA theatre students—including Eva Carvallo, Mari Diop, Aimony Erisnor, and Landon Ifill—will perform spoken word and theatrical pieces. 

Sunday, July 13, 1 pm 

Sanguine Piano 

HSA student Luca Ochoa will perform music inspired by Sanguine. 

Mondays, July 14, 21, and 28, 4 pm 

Rotunda Stage 

HSA theatre students—including Eva Carvallo, Mari Diop, Aimony Erisnor, and Landon Ifill—will perform spoken word and theatrical pieces. 

Sunday, July 20, 1 pm 

Sanguine Piano 

HSA student Nasir Oliver will play the piano situated in Sanguine. 

All performances require a general admission ticket to the museum.  

Performances and events as part of the exhibition will be announced monthly; please visit guggenheim.org/calendar for additional information and additional updates. Event details are subject to change. 

Sponsors 

Lead support for Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers is provided by Ford Foundation.

Visionary support is provided by Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan, Edlis-Neeson Foundation, and Daniel Xu and Flora Huang.  

Major support is provided by Neuberger Berman.  

The Leadership Committee for this exhibition is gratefully acknowledged for its generosity, with special thanks to Hauser & Wirth, David Kordansky Gallery, Madeleine Arison, Heather and Felix Baker, Justin Bayless, Marie-Josée Coutu, Nancy and Steve Crown, Natasha and François-Xavier de Mallmann, The George Economou Collection, Anton J. Levy, Jennifer and Alec Litowitz, and David Shuman.

Additional leadership funding is provided by Candace and Michael Barasch, Allison and Larry Berg, Mahshid and Jamshid Ehsani, Alex and Greg Mondre, Dr. Daniel S. Berger Charitable Giving Fund, Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian and Ago Demirdjian, Nicola Erni Collection, Katherine Farley and Jerry I. Speyer, The Forman Family Collection, Paul and Dedrea Gray, John and Amy Griffin Foundation, Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia, Kathy and Mitchell Jacobson, Judelson Family Foundation, LaVon Kellner and Tom Roush, Amanda Precourt, Gary Steele and Steven Rice, George Wells and Manfred Rantner, Debi and Steven Wisch, Marilyn and Larry Fields, Bernard I. Lumpkin and Carmine D. Boccuzzi, Jessica and Brian Robinson, Carol and Lawrence Saper, Ann and Mel Schaffer, The Sherman Family Foundation, and those who wish to remain anonymous.  

Support is also generously provided by The Kate Cassidy Foundation, The Robert Lehman Foundation, and The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Guggenheim New York’s 2024 International Director’s Council.  

Yamaha Piano provided by Yamaha Artist Services New York. 

About the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was established in 1937 and is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The international constellation of museums includes the Guggenheim New York; the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice; the Guggenheim Bilbao; and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A “temple of spirit” where radical art and architecture meet, the Guggenheim New York is among a group of eight Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the Guggenheim New York and the Guggenheim’s activities around the world, visit guggenheim.org.

@guggenheim