How did one tree become a world-famous tonewood for guitars?

Deep in the forests of Belize, a wood importer from Florida discovered a rare tree that produced a sound unlike anything guitar virtuosos had ever heard before. But why does this material cast such a spell? And at what cost does that come? 

Guests:

Ellen Ruppel Shell, journalist

Ken Parker, luthier

Reuben Forsland, luthier

Steve Cardenas, guitarist

Jennifer Anderson, historian and author of Mahogany: The Cost of Luxury in Early America

Althea SullyCole, former Fellow in The Met’s Department of Musical Instruments. Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology in the Schulich School of Music at McGill University

Featured artwork:

Ken Parker, Archtop guitar, 2016: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/677213

For a transcript of the episode and more information, visit metmuseum.org/immaterialwood

#MetImmaterial

Immaterial is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Magnificent Noise and hosted by Camille Dungy.

Our production staff includes Salman Ahad Khan, Ann Collins, Samantha Henig, Eric Nuzum, Emma Vecchione, Sarah Wambold, and Jamie York. Additional staff includes Laura Barth, Julia Bordelon, Skyla Choi, Maria Kozanecka, and Rachel Smith.

Sound design by Ariana Martinez and Kristin Mueller.
Original music by Austin Fisher and Salman Ahad Khan.
Fact-checking by Mary Mathis and Claire Hyman.

Immaterial is made possible by Dasha Zhukova Niarchos. Additional support is provided by the Zodiac Fund.

Special thanks to Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong, curator Jayson Dobney, conservator Manu Frederickx, educator David Freeman, Dick Boak, Gabriela Guadalajara, and curator Alyce Englund.

How did one tree become a world-famous tonewood for guitars?
Deep in the forests of Belize, a wood importer from Florida discovered a rare tree that produced a sound unlike anything guitar virtuosos had ever heard before. But why does this material cast such a spell? And at what cost does that come? 
Guests:
Ellen Ruppel Shell, journalist
Ken Parker, luthier
Reuben Forsland, luthier
Steve Cardenas, guitarist
Jennifer Anderson, historian and author of Mahogany: The Cost of Luxury in Early America
Althea SullyCole, former Fellow in The Met’s Department of Musical Instruments. Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology in the Schulich School of Music at McGill University
Featured artwork:
Ken Parker, Archtop guitar, 2016: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/677213
For a transcript of the episode and more information, visit metmuseum.org/immaterialwood
#MetImmaterial
Immaterial is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Magnificent Noise and hosted by Camille Dungy.
Our production staff includes Salman Ahad Khan, Ann Collins, Samantha Henig, Eric Nuzum, Emma Vecchione, Sarah Wambold, and Jamie York. Additional staff includes Laura Barth, Julia Bordelon, Skyla Choi, Maria Kozanecka, and Rachel Smith.
Sound design by Ariana Martinez and Kristin Mueller. Original music by Austin Fisher and Salman Ahad Khan. Fact-checking by Mary Mathis and Claire Hyman.
Immaterial is made possible by Dasha Zhukova Niarchos. Additional support is provided by the Zodiac Fund.
Special thanks to Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong, curator Jayson Dobney, conservator Manu Frederickx, educator David Freeman, Dick Boak, Gabriela Guadalajara, and curator Alyce Englund.

Stories of the materials used in making art are often as thought-provoking and illuminating as the objects themselves. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Immaterial examines the materials of art and what they can reveal about history and humanity. Each episode looks at a single material: paper, clay, jade, shells, and others, exploring the qualities and meanings that are often overlooked.

5,000 years of art, one material at a time

Immaterial: 5,000 Years of Art, One Material at a Time

Stories of the materials used in making art are often as thought-provoking and illuminating as the objects themselves. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Immaterial examines the materials of art and what they can reveal about history and humanity. Each episode looks at a single material: stone, linen, concrete, space, and more, exploring the qualities and meanings that are often overlooked.

Stories of the materials used in making art are often as thought-provoking and illuminating as the objects themselves. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Immaterial examines the materials of art and what they can reveal about history and humanity. Each episode looks at a single material: stone, linen, concrete, space, and more, exploring the qualities and meanings that are often overlooked.

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