Art Rock

These museums are making an art of music history—take copious musical notes.

Allen Ruppersberg: No Time Left To Start Again/The B And D Of R 'N' R

Through January 6, 2013 @ Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

Conceptual artist Allen Ruppersberg has compiled the history of blues and rock through thousands of vernacular music event snapshots from his own collection.

* An installation piece inspired by relics from classic American popular musicians, blues singers of the 1930s and guitar legends of the 1950s and 1960s . Pieces include photographs interspersed with photocopied obituaries, all screenprinted to look like invitations to high-school dances and sock hop parties.
www.artic.edu

Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 To The Present

Through October 9, 2012 @ Annenberg Space for Photography, LA

The Brooklyn Museum's touring exhibition features 166 works from photographers who have collaborated with rock music to create a visual legacy.

* William "Red" Robertson's iconic 1955 photo of pelvis-thrusting Elvis Presley that appeared on his first album

* A slideshow of 80 images by Henry Diltz taken between 1966-1990 set to music
www.brooklynmuseum.org

Golden Gods: The History Of Heavy Metal

Through February 2013 @ The Grammy Museum, LA

Heavy Metal isn't only for heathens. Check out the origins of the genre and its many subgenres and the bands that made it famous, er, infamous.

* Handwritten lyrics and sketches from Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister

* Stage props from Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, Slayer, and more

* Several famous guitars including Chuck Schuldiner's (Death) B.C. Rick Stealth

* Concert posters, tour books and fan memorabilia

* Several wardrobe pieces from Black Sabbath and Gwar
www.grammymuseum.org

Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World

Through Sept. 30, 2012 @ Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Explore the history behind the world's most popular instrument through a display of more than 60 axes, videos, live performances and photographs.

* The "Frying Pan," the first electric guitar ever manufactured (made in early 1930s)

* ODD Scarab, a guitar created by a 3D printer

* A divided amplifier stack, six-feet tall and capable of producing sound over 120 decibels

* Fenders, Gibsons and Rickenbackers from Inventors and designers like Leo Fender, George Beauchamp, Les Paul, Ted McCarty and Paul Bigsby
www.carnegiesciencecenter.org