5 Albums That Accompany Marcel Dzama’s Art

Canadian artist Marcel Dzama shares five albums he listened to most frequently while preparing his exhibition Dancing with the Moon at Pera Museum. Spanning from post-punk depths to subtle folk tones, this list offers a glimpse into the sounds that shape his visual world.

Public Image Ltd. – Metal Box (1979)

Dzama describes this experimental post-punk classic as “my all-time favorite album. " It accompanied many of his works, starting with his early art school videos. He considers it a kind of soundtrack written for the future.

 

Neil Young – On the Beach (1974)
Bleak, but in a good way. Dzama says this album played in the background while he was creating many of the pieces in the exhibition. It feels like a quiet inward journey.

Nina Simone – To Love Somebody (1969)
A devoted Bob Dylan fan, Dzama finds Simone’s covers even more powerful than the originals. He also views this album as a source of resistance and inspiration.

Charlie Megira – Tomorrow’s Gone (2019)
A remarkable talent lost too soon. The title track, one of Dzama’s favorite songs, sets the tone for an album that enriches visual storytelling, especially in video works. He also recommends it as a perfect album to draw to.

Joakim Åhlund & Jockum Nordström – Dracula’s Son (2017)
A collaborative project by two Swedish artists, Dracula’s Son reflects a playful affinity—Dzama notes he and Dracula keep similar hours. He praises his friend Nordström as a talented guitarist and an exceptional visual artist.