Ghost Band: an art piece in remembrance of passed musicians

The artist "Six" (City of Santa Clarita Arts & Events Supervisor Jeff Barber), right, puts the finishing touches on "Ghost Band" an altar to remember musicians who have died which is displayed at the ARTree - studio in Newhall on Saturday. Dan Watson/The Signal
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Every day, Jeff Barber, known as the artist, Six, passes by a ghost bike in Oxnard on the side of the road. This was his inspiration to create “Ghost Band,” an art installation that was on display at ARTree in Newhall on Saturday.

A ghost bike is an altar piece painted white and put next to the road as a remembrance to people who have passed away, usually kids.

“Three months ago, I was driving into the city, and it just hit me I should create a ghost band and do the whole thing (with) the full instruments, painted white (and) get candles, flowers and…develop the piece as a remembrance,” said Six.

Lit candles stand near an open guitar case as part of the art work "Ghost Band" on display at the ARTree studio in Newhall on Saturday. "Ghost Band" is an altar for musicians which was modeled after roadside displays where individuals have been killed while biking. Attendees are encouraged to write a note to musicians who are missed and place the note in the open guitar case as a remembrance of them. Dan Watson/The Signal
Lit candles stand near an open guitar case as part of the art work “Ghost Band” on display at the ARTree studio in Newhall on Saturday. “Ghost Band” is an altar for musicians which was modeled after roadside displays where individuals have been killed while biking. Dan Watson/The Signal

The first day he got the word out about his project, someone at Instrumental Music in Ventura offered him an amplifier to get started.

“I put the word out and literally the same day I got that amplifier,” said Six.

For a month and half, he collected items to create his art installation. There are guitars, a mic stand, drum set, amplifier—all painted white. Six then adds contrast to the white by adding flowers, candles and other bright colors.

There was also an interactive element to the installation. People could write notes to musicians who have passed away and place them in the guitar case in the front of the exhibit.

This is Six’s second art installation he has created and it is not going to be his last. He has a plan to make a hanging mobile of used tires he found on the side of the road as his next project. In fact, he has been collecting tires for three years now and is already well on his way to having the supplies needed to create his next art piece.

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