http://www.ncreview.com/ 2538-1102 http://www.ncreview.com/art/where-the-heart-beats-john-cage-zen-buddhism-and-the-inner-life-of-artists Composer John Cage paved the way for avant-garde artists with original works such as 4’33”, a score he wrote that consists of a pianist sitting in complete silence for four minutes and thirty-three seconds. Performed in three movements, this zen-like piece invites audiences to turn their attention toward the silence and wake up to life. Where the Heart Beats is the fascinating journey of how Zen Buddhism saved John Cage’s life following a personal breakdown, and ultimately changed the expression of art in the 50s and 60s. Kay Larson, an art critic and columnist, traces the path of Zen Buddhist writer D.T. Suzuki, his arrival in the U.S. at the birth of the Beatnik era, and his intersection with Cage while teaching at Columbia University. She follows John Cage, a mediocre musician, as he experiments with sound, strikes out on a spiritual quest, and applies his newfound Buddhist beliefs into a form of musical meditation that influences creative artists like Yoko Ono, Jasper Johns, and Merce Cunningham. This book is a well-researched account of a transformational era in art history, blending engaging narrative with Cage’s own voice. ]]> Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:10:17 -0700