Just when the temperatures are starting to cool down in New England, things will be getting hot at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston. Tickets go on sale October 1 for the museum's next special exhibition titled Dangerous Curves, which runs November 5, 2000 through February 25, 2001.
What could this sexily named art exhibit be all about? The MFA is trying to strike a chord with music fans by mounting the first-ever comprehensive museum exhibition focusing on the guitar as an art object.
Featuring more than 130 instruments from museums and private collections, Dangerous Curves: Art of the Guitar will take visitors through 400 years of guitar history and artistry. More than any other musical instrument, the guitar has undergone changes that reflect popular culture.
Here's a sampling of what visitors will see:
- Jimi Hendrix's 1967 Gibson Flying V with its psychedelic "flower-power" motif designed by Hendrix himself.
- A 17th century guitar created by an instrument-maker much better known for his violins, Antonio Stradivari.
- Whimsical lyre guitars from the 19th century.
- An inflatable guitar made in 1999.
- Guitars owned by famous musicians including Les Paul, Prince, and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen.
Oh, and James Taylor will take you on your tour of the guitar galleries. Or at least he'll be the one narrating the audio guide that's included in the Dangerous Curves ticket price. Video monitors will show the guitar being put to better use than sitting in a museum case.
Getting Tickets: Tickets for Dangerous Curves: Art of the Guitar go on sale to the public October 1. Although same-day tickets will be sold when available at the Dangerous Curves Box Office in the museum's West Wing Lobby, it's a good idea to purchase your tickets ahead of time. Tickets include general museum admission and the use of the audio guide. Tickets can be purchased in person daily at the Dangerous Curves Box Office or reserved by telephone with a credit card. For information and to charge tickets, call (617) 542-4MFA 24 hours a day. There is a $4 service charge per ticket and a $1.75 handing fee per order when using telephone ordering, and you should allow at least two weeks for your tickets to arrive.
Ticket Prices: Adult tickets are $16 on week days, $18 on weekends. Student/Senior tickets are $14 on weekdays, $16 on weekends. Children ages 6 to 17 are charge $6 at all times, and children under 5 are admitted free at all times.
Exhibit Hours: Dangerous Curves is open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 4:45 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 9:45 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. Tickets will be issued for specific entry times at half-hour intervals.
Getting to the Museum of Fine Arts: Subway and driving directions to the MFA are available online at the museum's Web site.
