Sin of the World: Grayson's Messiah

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Created: 03/Jun/2010
Updated: 15/Jun/2010

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UK Artist, Richard Grayson sent an email to a bunch of country rock musicians from Erskinville, Sydney to see if they would rewrite and perform Handel's Messiah for no money.

How could they refuse?

The resulting video work, Messiah, 2004 transforms George Fredric Handel's 1742 Oratorio, 'The Messiah' for the Sydney Biennale.

In the work, Australian band The Midnight Rambers present a country rock interpretation with scary fundeamentalist overtones, effectively recalling it from the 'high culture' of choirs and classical recitals into a hoe-down offering.

Richard discusses Messiah, aliens and his curisities and observations about the way the world works.

This artist talk was filmed on Cockatoo Island on Saturday 15 May 2010 for the 17th Biennale of Sydney.

More about Richard Grayson