A Thousand Thoughts

“Kronos Quartet has broken the boundaries of what string quartets do, commissioning hundreds of new works that have brought jazz, tango, experimental and world music into the genre…and [becoming] a mentor to several generations of quartets that have followed in its innovative wake.”—New York Times

Join us for the premiere of this Wex-commissioned collaboration between live documentary film artist Sam Green and Kronos Quartet that tells the trailblazing ensemble’s story with wit, inventiveness, insight—and live music from Kronos themselves.

Conceptualized and directed by Green, and taking an expansive formal approach familiar to fans of his projects such as The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller, A Thousand Thoughts charts Kronos’ 45-year history through live narration, archival footage, and interviews with Philip Glass, Terry Riley, Tanya Tagaq, and Wu Man, among other Kronos collaborators. Green’s insightful narration will highlight telling moments from Kronos’ past and present—from their early days as upstarts in San Francisco seeking new ways to perform chamber music with a hip edge to their place today as widely acclaimed artists and innovators of the vibrant indie chamber scene.

The “meta” quality of this work—a documentary about Kronos presented as Kronos performs the soundtrack—offers moments to reflect on the nature of live performance, presence, and the collective experience of art, even as it deepens your understanding of Kronos’ music and legacy. But at its heart, A Thousand Thoughts asks questions about the power of art to change the world. As Kronos leader David Harrington says, “I’ve always wanted the string quartet to be vital, and energetic, and alive, and cool, and not afraid to kick ass and be absolutely beautiful and ugly if it has to be. But it has to be expressive of life. To tell the story with grace and humor and depth. And to tell the whole story, if possible.” Be among the very first to witness the full scope of their tale unfold—and celebrate all they’ve achieved—as Kronos and Green debut this retrospective program crafted for their many Wexner Center fans.

Cosponsored by the Wexner Center’s Departments of Performing Arts and Film/Video.

A Thousand Thoughts: A Live Documentary by Sam Green and Kronos Quartet is commissioned by the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University through its Artist Residency Award program.