Creativity is often forged out of adversity. And in this strange pandemic year, our partnership with The Mint Museum resulted in a series of unique, rewarding video projects – everything from classical duets performed in front of an epically scaled artwork, to a virtual gala featuring The Avett Brothers, to a lyrical exhibition overview that earned an Emmy Award.
“Foragers”
“Foragers” was a collaborative production celebrating the power of women in art, architecture and music. Because an in-person opening reception was not an option in the early months of COVID-19, Wells Fargo Private Bank commissioned a filmed performance of two duets by the Charlotte Symphony, in the atrium of Mint Museum Uptown. The musicians were women, performing against the backdrop of “Foragers,” a mural by artist Summer Wheat. The work spans four stories, 96 windows and 3,720 square feet, and features women in roles traditionally held by men. In this soaring open space, the cameras had the freedom to roam up, down and around the musicians as they performed their contemporary classical pieces, creating a one-of-a-kind event as intimate as it was monumental.
“Virtual Gala: A Little Night Magic”
Like many organizations, The Mint made the difficult but safety-conscious decision to shift their annual gala to a virtual event in the spring of 2021. Kcomm and our production partner, Priceless Miscellaneous, produced the program with a combination of recorded footage and live elements, including an auction where a phone app took the place of a paddle in split-second real-time bidding. As the emotional core of the show, we produced a short video featuring a trauma nurse and a social services director. They reflect on the healing power of art and share their gratitude to The Mint for offering complimentary admission to first responders during the pandemic.
We approached the gala as a variety show, with rapid pacing and entertaining special guests, including iconic fashion designer Anna Sui, Grammy Award-nominated folk rock band The Avett Brothers (based in Concord), and even Cameo appearances by Ice-T and LeAnn Rimes. Although this was untested territory as the first virtual gala for The Mint, it was a resounding success as a fundraiser, proving that patrons not only enjoyed the production, they understood the importance of stepping up to support the museum in one of its most challenging years.
“Classic Black”
As a companion piece to the exhibition “Classic Black: The Basalt Sculpture of Wedgwood and His Contemporaries,” Kcomm worked with filmmaker Chris Walldorf to produce a short film that was projected in the gallery at Mint Museum Randolph. Like the exhibition, the video is a mashup of historical and contemporary references. It brings together classically inspired European black basalt sculptures and the art of Owl, the acclaimed Charlotte-based muralist and street artist. With an original score that moves from symphonic to chill, the video’s thematic layers encourage the viewer to reimagine the traditional museum experience and think twice about the concept of “classic” art. We were thrilled when the film won a regional Emmy Award in the interstitial (short film) category — especially gratifying because it was the result of a partnership with an organization that is near and dear to the hearts of the entire Kcomm team.