TULSA WELCOMES THE FREEWHEELIN'
BOB DYLAN CENTER
The Bob Dylan Center opened its doors to visitors for the first time on 5/5 with a VIP grand-opening celebration that attracted hundreds of invited luminaries and members of the media from around the world. The 29k-square-foot complex of curated exhibitions contains more than 100k items created and/or collected by Dylan throughout his seven decades as one of the world’s most important cultural figures.
Artifacts on display include handwritten lyrics to some of the world’s most treasured songs, previously unreleased recordings and never-before-seen film performances, as well as rare and unseen photographs, visual art and other priceless items.
The grand-opening celebration was highlighted by concerts featuring three acclaimed artists who've cited Dylan as a strong influence: Mavis Staples on Thursday, 5/5, Patti Smith and her band on Friday and Elvis Costello and the Imposters on Saturday. The shows took place at Tulsa’s famed Cain’s Ballroom. Elvis played “Like a Rolling Stone” and “I Threw It All Away.” Patti’s set included “Boots of Spanish Leather.”
Artfully designed exhibits, drawn from and inspired by the vast holdings of the Bob Dylan Archive, utilize cutting-edge technology to create immersive and unique experiences for BDC visitors. These include the Church Studio control room, sponsored by the legendary Tulsa recording studio, which enables visitors to experience hands-on mixing of a changing selection of original Dylan recordings. The first two are “I Want You,“ from Blonde on Blonde, and “Knockin‘ on Heaven’s Door," from Dylan’s soundtrack to Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. The activation also presents little-known stories behind the recording of numerous Dylan classics, including “Like a Rolling Stone.”
The Columbia Records Gallery chronicles the Bard’s 60-year career and impact on music and culture through deep exploration of era-defining songs. The first half dozen to be featured are “Chimes of Freedom,” “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Jokerman,” “Not Dark Yet,” “Tangled Up in Blue” and “The Man in Me.”
A 16-foot-high metalwork sculpture, designed and built by Dylan at his Black Buffalo Artworks studio, graces the internal entrance of the BDC. The decorative elements of the structure reference American industry and combine to form an abstract entry gate to the Center’s reception area, ticket counter and retail space.
Steven Jenkins, the Director of the BDC, spent three decades in numerous museum and nonprofit leadership positions in the San Francisco Bay Area. A lifelong Dylan fan and aficionado of his work, Jenkins recently relocated to Tulsa to helm the Center’s exhibitions, public programs and daily operations. “As an avid listener and fascinated follower of Dylan's every surprising and illuminating turn, I have enjoyed a lifetime of aesthetic pleasures, confounding challenges and profound joy,” Jenkins offered. “I'm honored and thrilled to take on this dream job.”
The Bob Dylan Center opens to the public tomorrow, 5/10.
Photos by Getty Images for the BDC
