Meredith Monk’s Calling: A Journey Through Art and Voice

Exploring Six Decades of Innovation in Music, Movement, and Multidisciplinary Art

Title: Meredith Monk Calling

Author: Anna Schneider (Editor), Andrea Lissoni (Contributor), Rick Moody (Contributor)

Publisher: Hatje Cantz

Publication Date: November 19, 2024

Purchase link: Amazon (affiliate link)

Meredith Monk's Calling is an extraordinary reflection on the life and work of a pioneer whose six-decade career has reshaped the boundaries of music, performance, and interdisciplinary art. Monk, a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, has revolutionized the perception of the human voice, crafting a unique language of sound that transcends both words and melodies. Her contributions as a composer, performer, filmmaker, and choreographer place her among the most innovative artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Monk’s groundbreaking work, often described as “extended vocal technique,” redefines what the voice can achieve—turning it into an instrument capable of evoking universal emotions without the need for linguistic constraints.

Born in New York City in 1942, Meredith Monk emerged in the 1960s as part of a dynamic arts scene alongside contemporaries like Philip Glass, Yvonne Rainer, and Robert Wilson. She founded The House in 1968 to foster interdisciplinary performance, later establishing the Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble. Monk’s influence extends far beyond her performances, with her music finding a place in the films of Jean-Luc Godard, the Coen Brothers, and David Byrne. Her ability to bridge various mediums and genres has inspired artists across disciplines, from Björk to John Zorn. This extraordinary range makes Calling not just a retrospective but an essential text for understanding her profound impact on the arts.