Frances McDormand Shaker Art: A Unique Experiential Exhibition
Frances McDormand has long captivated audiences with her versatile acting. From a small-town police chief in Fargo to a determined mother in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and a nomadic worker in Nomadland, her performances display empathy and depth. Now, she turns her attention to the art world with the Frances McDormand Shaker art project. This immersive exhibition was co-created with conceptual artist Suzanne Bocanegra. At the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Los Angeles, visitors explore adult-sized Shaker cradles. These cradles pay homage to the Christian sect’s focus on community, care, and simplicity.
Adult-Sized Cradles: From Infancy to End-of-Life Care
The exhibition highlights the Shakers’ use of cradles not only for infants but also for adults, especially the elderly or infirm. Frances McDormand says, “I was drawn to the adult-sized cradles because of their scale and their connection to care and comfort. It’s not performative, it’s experiential.”
The cradles are displayed with Shaker rocking chairs and woven baskets. Visitors can participate in the act of mending, a central part of Shaker values that emphasizes nurture and community. By doing so, they gain a hands-on understanding of Shaker life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJDkRz8gWiw
Immersive Multi-Sensory Experience
Sound is key in the Frances McDormand Shaker art exhibit. Composer David Lang worked with McDormand and Bocanegra to create a “last lullaby” based on a Shaker spiritual about eternal life.
The installation allows visitors to sit, rock in the cradles, and absorb the contemplative atmosphere. In this way, historical reverence blends seamlessly with contemporary experiential art.
Shaker Philosophy and Lasting Influence
The Shakers were established in America after Mother Ann Lee arrived in 1774. They were known for simplicity, communal living, and practical craftsmanship. McDormand reflects, “It’s not about decoration, it’s about utility. But through that attention to function, the objects become beautiful.”
The exhibition encourages audiences to connect with Shaker principles of mindfulness, self-sufficiency, and community care. As a result, the show brings centuries-old values to life in a modern context.
Hands-On Participation and Community Spirit
Visitors engage directly with Shaker-inspired activities, from weaving and mending to experiencing the soothing motion of the cradles. Curator Suzanne Bocanegra notes that the longer guests spend with the pieces, the more meaningful the experience becomes.
Thus, Frances McDormand Shaker art fosters a tangible connection to history. It echoes the Shakers’ lifelong dedication to caring for one another, “from cradle to grave.”
A Bridge Between Performance and Conceptual Art
McDormand brings her theatrical sensibility to the gallery while deliberately avoiding performance. “We enter the space, and the work informs the space, not the other way around,” she explains.
The exhibition merges conceptual art, Shaker history, and participatory experience. In doing so, it shows how creative interpretation can illuminate centuries-old traditions.
