Bob Dylan's early years chronicled in Skirball exhibit
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-1966, opened at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 8.

Through a detailed timeline and neverbeforeseen photos, artifacts, recordings, and performance and interview footage, the exhibit focuses on Dylan's early music career and his transformation from rock 'n' roll teen to a civil rights and antiwar movement commentator.

"This is one of the most prolific decades in Dylan's career," said curator Jasen Emmons.

The Skirball visit marks the exhibit's last stop on a two-year tour. Created in 2004 by the Experience Music Project, a Seattle music history museum, the exhibit has traveled nationwide, including a stay at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

The Skirball has added a unique feature to the exhibit- an interactive music gallery. Visitors can play along with original Dylan tracks from such albums as the 1966 "Blonde on Blonde." A drum set, three electric guitars, an interactive keyboard and a mixing console allow visitors to manipulate the music and have their own influence on Dylan's work.

The exhibit opens with a wall filled with 100 different seveninch covers of Dylan's 1962 hit "Blowin' in the Wind." Visitors can listen to 16 different versions of the recording.

Oversized photo panels scattered throughout the museum gallery depict a young Dylan playing guitar and harmonica. Other pictures show him wearing his trademark pensive expression and wild hair. A colorful, oversized painting created by Dylan in Woodstock in the '60s adorns a section of wall.

Sections of the exhibit focus on the artists who influenced Dylan, including Woody Guthrie and Joan Baez. Memorabilia on display includes Dylan's doubleO Martin guitar and harmonica; one of Guthrie's guitars, on the back of which he scratched his name; and musician Ramblin' Jack Elliott's guitar and boots.

Referring to a letter written by Dylan to Joan Baez's mom, curator Emmons said, "Bob Dylan has a fantastic sense of humor, which I think is often overlooked."

Another section details Dylan's childhood as Robert Allen Zimmerman in Hibbing, Minn. Several television monitors run footage of Dylan discussing songwriting as well as interviews with musicians and music producers talking about Dylan and his talent.

"The songs he wrote made you feel like 'I could have written that. That's just how I feel,'" said one music producer on a monitor.

A nearby monitor features Joan Baez and her take on the musician, with whom she shared a close relationship.

"Everybody's gifted. But there are some people who crash through all the barriers with their gift because it's unique and it's enormous," Baez said.

In conjunction with the Dylan exhibit, the Skirball is offering a number of related public events including lectures given by Dylan scholars, concerts featuring artists who reflect Dylan's legacy, a series of films in which Dylan played a role and family workshops on songwriting and instrument-making.

"His Jewish background, his democratic ideals and the way Dylan's life and work embraced those elements are what the Skirball is all about. It's very fitting that this exhibit is here," said Robert Kirschner, Skirball curator.

The exhibit runs through June 8. For information call (310) 4404500 or visit www.skirball.org.