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.
Episode Highlights
- Marcus’ “HUMS” sound sculpture, chosen for Louisiana’s entry in the 250 exhibition, channels the user’s touch to create musical tones. Conceived years before biometric sensors became commonplace, “HUMS” transforms bystanders into active participants.
- A self-described “voodoo craftsman,” Marcus creates objects meant to be used as much as observed. His masks, sculptures, and parade suits draw on the ceremonies and communal traditions of New Orleans, an acknowledgment of art as a binding force.
- With Slavery Trails, Marcus places digital markers over historic, often overlooked sites of enslavement. The project trades traditional marble and pedestal for augmented reality, offering a vision of memorial that is dispersed, interactive, and deeply personal.
- After Hurricane Katrina, Marcus returned to New Orleans, rebuilt his practice, and invested in future artists. As an educator, he insists culture survives only if passed directly, generation to generation.
Quoteables
- “With ‘HUMS’, the public became musicians. Everyone’s presence made the sculpture sing; I wanted to build a ritual, not just a thing to look at.” — Marcus Brown [17:16]
- “Art is a tradition—one that only lives if you activate it, if you hand it off. New Orleans taught me that.” — Marcus Brown [25:54]
- “We live on landscapes full of ghosts. My work tries to make those presences vivid and unavoidable, whether through sound, sight, or gathering.” — Marcus Brown [36:15]
Get Involved / Discover More
- 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.: See Marcus Brown’s “HUMS” sound sculpture and explore 51 other selected works online, each representing a different state, DC, and Puerto Rico. Presented in collaboration with CODAworx, the leading platform for the public art industry.
- Listen to our conversation with CODAwork CEO Toni Sikes, who offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the 250 exhibition came together and shares industry insights on the current public art boom.
- Slavery Trails: Visit the project online to experience Marcus’ evolving digital memorials and explore AR markers in New York, Philadelphia, and DC.
Mentions & Shoutouts
- Freedom Ship: The Uncharted History of Escaping Slavery by Sea: Dr. Marcus Rediker’s account of the Underground Railroad’s long-overlooked maritime origins served as inspiration for Marcus’ Slavery Trails project “Docks Noirs (Black Harbor)” in New York City.
- New Orleans Center for Creative Arts: Where Brown has taught and mentored young artists for nearly two decades.
- “Ona’s Way:” Part of the Slavery Trails, this public AR memorial in Philadelphia honors Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who escaped George Washington’s household in 1796.
Contacts & Socials
- Website: https://artistmarcus.com
- Instagram: @paintwithmusic
- Facebook: @artistmarcusbrown
Episode Credits
- Host: Scott “Sourdough” Power
- Guest: Marcus Brown, sculptor and educator, featured artist in 250: A Celebration of Public Art in the U.S.
- Production: Crewest Studio, Los Angeles
- Theme Music: Ricky Peugeot & Desi DeLauro of Parlor Social
- Stay 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.
Photo Gallery
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. All images published with permission of Marcus Brown; featured graphic: David Schwartz.