‘Voodoo Craftsman’ Marcus Brown on History, Cultural Memory, and Technology in Public Spaces
Born and raised in New Orleans, Marcus Brown crafts objects—sometimes monumental, sometimes intimate—that blend history, technology, and ritual. His work urges viewers to confront the unseen: memory, sound, and the stories buried beneath everyday footpaths.Marcus’ “Human Universal Musical Sculpture (HUMS)” was selected to represent Louisiana in 250: A Celebration of Public Art in America, our summer exhibition with CODAworx, the leading platform for the public art industry. Inspired by the electric hum of the human body, this interactive sound sculpture invites the public to trigger harmonic resonances through touch, a testament to Marcus’ ability to fuse old-world craftsmanship with the bleeding edge of innovation.But Marcus doesn’t make monuments that merely commemorate. With his ongoing project Slavery Trails, he maps America’s suppressed histories using augmented reality, turning street corners and parks into digital memorials that demand attention from passersby. In conversation, Marcus sifts through the spiritual mechanics of making, the ghosts of New Orleans, and the responsibility of placing memory in plain sight.Contacts & SocialsWebsite: https://artistmarcus.comInstagram: @paintwithmusicFacebook: @artistmarcusbrownEpisode CreditsHost: Scott ‘Sourdough’ PowerGuest: Marcus Brown, sculptor and educator, featured artist in 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.Production: Crewest Studio, Los AngelesTheme Music: Ricky Peugeot & Desi DeLauro of Parlor SocialStay in the Loop: Subscribe to NOT REAL ART, and follow us on Instagram for more coverage of the 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.
