This Land is Your Land:
The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie
Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibits Services
- Museum Exhibit
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The
Woody Guthrie Archives worked long hours with the Smithsonian
Institution over a period of two years to curate the
first ever museum exhibition about the life and legacy
of Woody Guthrie. The script was developed and primarily
drawn from Woody’s own writings found in the Archives,
with additional narratives contributed by various historians,
friends and family members including Joe
Klein, Pete Seeger and
Alan
Lomax. |
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The
exhibition spans Woody's life from his birth in 1912,
in Okemah, Oklahoma, to his move to New York City in
1940; it follows his extensive travels throughout the
land up until his death in 1967, culminating reflectively
on the lasting influence that his life and music has
had upon American musical culture. For example,
in the last section of the exhibition, the topic of
a specially produced video presents Woody's continuing
influence on songwriters today with interviews of Billy Bragg,
Wilco,
Bruce Springsteen, Bono,
Ani
DiFranco and Corey Harris.
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| Woody's
original notebooks, diaries, song lyrics and photos are
viewed throughout to illustrate his prolific writing and
often unconventional
lifestyle. An abundance of original artwork, never before
exhibited, adds to our understanding of his artistry.
Memorabilia contributed by Guthrie family members includes
some of Woody’s own instruments and personal effects.
In addition, carefully located audio stations within the
exhibition aids in contextualizing the "environment"
further highlighting Woody's artistic process through
recorded performances of his own songs along with excerpts
of songs that helped to form his creative vision.
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Tour
Schedule
THIS
LAND IS YOUR LAND: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF WOODY GUTHRIE
HAS CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Thanks
to all of those who were able to see the exhibit and learn
more about Woody Guthrie.
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