Hussein Chalayan’s exploration of the cultural frame resounds with the broad, eclectic nature of his own thinking and designs. He sustains a constant search for new interpretation of existing content, challenging conventions for intriguing results. For a musical contribution to NºC he chose a group of seven musicians to translate their sonic craft into a visual, for the story “Music in another language”.

From Talking Heads’ founder David Byrne to Belgian composer Jean Paul Dessy (with Patti Smith and Cat Power in between), Hussein’s selection of artists is as disparate as the visual offerings they gave. From Cat Power’s family photographs to Arno‘s iconic abstract art from Marcel Broodthaers, there is no end of contrasts within the story – as different musicians see their art as personal, scientific, abstract, refined or incredibly rough and human.

Will Oldham (AKA Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) suggested music as a bloodied nude woman in Jim Lasher’s Demeter, whereas to David Byrne music can be compartmentalized into rhetoric – in his diagram of musical ‘synonyms’. Patti Smith’s own artworks are a romantic chaos of philosophical musings in the scrawled shape of flowers, and Vive La Fête’s Els Pynoo created a collage with a sketch of herself and boyfriend Danny Mommens, coupled with clippings from their travels.

The sum of these works reveals a passionate and intuitive nature in each of the musicians, and a deep well of inspiration that spans art in many forms.

Above: Jean Paul Dessy’s contribution – Switch by Ludovic Joubert, 2002.

Above: Cat Power’s contribution – “One of my reasons for keeping on” Me and my nephew Ian, Summer 2001 New York City. Photography by Stefano Giovannini.

Above: David Byrne’s contribution - Diagram, 2002. (Read below).

aggravator – political metaphor – heartbreak device – landscape – time machine – sex catalyst – thought bubble burster – multilayered community – chaotic analogy – personality annihilator – sex diagram – social intercourse facilitator – romantic melodies – sparse events – multiple beats – disturbing eruptions – subliminal messages – gimmicks – virtual spontaneity – ambiguous harmonies – humorous lyrics – frequent repetitions

Above: Arno’s contribution – Grande casserole de moules by Marcel Broodthaers, photography by Dirk Pauwels.

Above: Patti Smith’s contribution – Peace and Noise I, 1997 by Patti Smith. Courtesy of Robert Miller Gallery, New York.

Above: Patti Smith’s contribution – Peace and Noise II, 1997 by Patti Smith. Courtesy of Robert Miller Gallery, New York.

Above: Will Oldham’s contribution – Demeter by Jim Lasher, 2000.

Above: Vive Le Fête’s contribution – Vive Le Fête by Els Pynoo, 2002.