Prince’s ‘aura of mystique’ endures in Paisley Park

Published on: 07/25/2021 – 03:18Amended: 07/25/2021 – 03:16

Chanhassen (United States) (AFP)

To the untrained eye, Paisley Park, Prince’s home and studio in suburban Minnesota, could be anything – an abandoned mall, a government complex, a utility office building.

It was only the 11-foot statue of the purple love symbol, the unpronounceable glyph that the artist experienced during a dispute with his label, that gives the 65,000-square-foot complex the belonging to the beloved artist like Prince.

Located just off the highway leading to the southwest of the Twin Cities in the municipality of Chanhassen, Paisley Park was the creative and literal home of the international pop star virtuoso, a sanctuary where he spent nearly three decades before collapsing in an elevator, dying soon after an accidental overdose of painkillers.

Sunlight penetrates from the glass pyramid that crowns the resort, where white doves watch over the breezy atrium painted with blue skies and fluffy clouds.

With four recording studios, a sound stage and a club, Paisley Park has for years hosted artists such as Madonna, Miles Davis and Patti LaBelle, also hosting impromptu concerts and performances to the delight of fans.

The estate was a place of pilgrimage even before the artist’s death at age 57, and has now taken on new life as a museum.

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Faced with a tax burden after Prince’s death, his estate sought to monetize the complex. Six days a week, fans can take guided tours at costs ranging from $ 45 to $ 160, depending on experience.

Visitors are required to seal their cell phones in special pouches at the entrance, and much of Paisley Park prohibits photography, an attempt to stay in line with the artist’s wishes.

“Prince has always preferred that you experience things here in Paisley through your own lens, rather than your camera,” Mitch Maguire, general manager of the resort, said during an AFP visit.

“Prince was really good at creating an aura of mystique.”

– ‘Move mountains’ –

Prince’s living quarters are completely off-limits – “there is something that I think is really respectful about making sure these spaces stay his own” – as is the multi-story safe where he stored stuff. treasures of unpublished music, explained Maguire.

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The exhibition halls house Prince memorabilia, including gold records, flashy costumes, motorcycles and a “purple room” which pays homage to his flagship album “Purple Rain”.

The 12,500 square foot soundstage, designed for concerts and touring rehearsals, is now surrounded by a giant screen that displays archival video footage and concerts of Prince, along with many of his concert instruments and clothing exposed to visitors.

In another room, the museum is hosting a special exhibit, showing hundreds of Prince’s bespoke shoes – including heels, platform sneakers and roller skates – in all their fur-lined, glitter, iridescent and painted glamor. by hand.

Prince was a mainstay of the Minneapolis cultural scene, regularly hosting surprise concerts with little notice at Paisley Park.

And years before running the museum, Maguire was a fan in the crowd.

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“I think the accessibility that we have had as people who lived in this community at the genius of Prince is truly unmatched,” he said.

And see him play there?

“It’s hard to articulate; I don’t think there are enough words in the English lexicon to do it fully justice,” Maguire continued.

“You just felt like this guy could move mountains with his gifts, and he was very generous in terms of sharing those gifts with us.

The resort continues to host live music events and has also hosted recording sessions from artists, including Beck.

“Part of what it means to continue to nurture Prince’s legacy is just that – to continue to make it an active creative space,” said Maguire.

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In 1985, two years before his resort opened, Prince released the song “Paisley Park” on his seventh album “Around The World In a Day”, describing a utopian community as spiritual as it is tangible.

“Love is color / This place transmits,” sang Prince. “Admission is easy / Just say you believe.”

“Paisley Park is in your heart.”

AFP 2021