“Lessons the Art World Can Draw From Solange’s Creative Vision”

**The Transformative Power of Curated Art: Lessons from Solange Knowles’ *Eldorado Ballroom***

In October 2024, Solange Knowles presented *Eldorado Ballroom* at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a groundbreaking triptych of evenings that echoed through contemporary art circles as an illustrious showcase of Black musical lineage and artistic curation. Curated under the banner of Solange’s creative agency, Saint Heron, the three-day event wasn’t just a series of performances — it was a masterclass in the art of curation, collaboration, and the amplification of marginalized voices.

Through *Eldorado Ballroom,* Solange demonstrated that curation, when done thoughtfully, is far more than a means of organizing; it is a powerful act of storytelling, artistic expansion, and communal celebration. These performances weren’t merely about their medium — music — but about deeply rooted historical narratives and the dynamic spaces that carried these creative expressions forward. Each event within the series brimmed with transformative energy, offering lessons for audiences and future curators alike.

### Honoring Black Musical Legacy Across Time

One of the most profound aspects of *Eldorado Ballroom* was its intentional delineation and celebration of Black music. Knowles organized the event into three thematic evenings:

1. **On Dissonance** – Focused on classical, symphonic, and operatic compositions by Black women, honoring those like Julia Perry and Patrice Rushen who existed on the periphery of traditional Western music history.
2. **Contrapuntal Counterpoints** – Explored raw, genre-defying innovations in jazz, funk, blues, and soul.
3. **Glory, Glory** – Dedicated to the spiritual and devotional roots of Black music, closing the series with profoundly moving gospel performances.

Together, these evenings painted an expansive picture of Black musical expression, from the solemn beauty of concertos to the uninhibited joy of funk and the redemptive power of gospel. Knowles’ curation powerfully connected these genres and time periods, weaving together a cohesive narrative of resilience, creativity, and the embodiment of the Black experience.

### Bridging Tradition and Innovation

Solange’s approach brought historical frameworks into dialogue with contemporary artistry. By featuring voices from across time — from trailblazing composers like Julia Perry to emerging electronic artists like Liv.e — she disrupted traditional notions of genre-specific programming and showed how music evolves as an intergenerational conversation.

For instance, the inclusion of Zoie Reams, a Black opera singer, alongside a 50-person orchestra conducted by Jeri Lynne Johnson, emphasized Black musicians’ contributions to Western classical music. Similarly, Liv.e’s electronic set and funk-infused performances by J*Davey and Thundercat highlighted a rebellion, sonically contrasting the classical works performed on the first night. In doing so, Knowles not only honored past traditions but also underscored the ongoing vitality of Black music.

### Curation as Collaboration

A standout feature of *Eldorado Ballroom* was its sensitivity toward collaboration — between artists, space, and cultural contexts. Solange invited performers to push their own boundaries within the curated framework. For example:

– Dominique Johnson recontextualized her organ arrangements by performing on the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s iconic organ, a feat that showcased the seamless blending of Black gospel traditions with Western architectural grandeur.
– Moses Sumney transformed his hauntingly introspective song “Doomed” into a tender yet spiritually rich conversation with the divine.
– Bilal’s jazz quartet merged improvisational brilliance with deep emotional resonance, tapping into the soul of historical blues and spiritual laments.

These performances were not assemblages of disjointed parts but collaborative synergies reflecting what historian Fred Moten aptly describes as Black music’s embodied and exhaustive commitment to emotion, truth, and spirit.

### Transforming Spaces Through Curatorial Vision

One of the most overlooked aspects of great curation is how it transforms not just the artists and the audience, but also the space. The Walt Disney Concert Hall, known for its avant-garde design by Frank Gehry and traditional Western classical performances, became a different kind of vessel for *Eldorado Ballroom.* Solange’s programming brought new life to its walls, its floors reverberating with choir stomps, its beams resonating with funk’s amplified basslines.

By embedding the performers’ energy within Gehry’s architecture, Solange demonstrated how institutional spaces could flex to accommodate the boundless, celebratory energy of Black culture. *Eldorado Ballroom* wasn’t just an event; it was a reclamation of space. And in that space, Black stories transmitted both vulnerability and empowerment, joyously filling every corner of the concert hall.

### The Generosity of Effective Curation

The ethos of Solange’s curatorial work was steeped in generosity. Her ability to center the voices of others, while providing them with the platform