A page containing two short pieces of experimental music. One black strip is interrupted by patches of brown faux fur, and another is a continuous strip of brown faux fur. Instructions ask the viewer to focus the mind on the fur and listen intently.

Instructions for “playing” this faux fur are seen in Nelson Howe’s famous experimental work, on display in A Roll of the Dice: Symbolism in the Sackner Archive.

Nelson Howe
“Fur Music”
Source: Music of the Avant Garde. No.9 (1971)
Offset printed, synthetic fur, includes two 33rpm vinyl records 

From curator Rich Dana:

Mallarmé’s work inspired early modern composers like his friend Claude Debussy, but that influence continued into the 20th century with avant-garde composers who presented work that engaged the audience in multi-sensory experiences. In “Fur Music,” Nelson Howe created a score that departs from traditional notation in ways that harken back to the typographical experimentation of “Un coup de dés.” 

Transcription: Fur Music I
For either hand
Fingers should be held parallel with the surface
Movements during performance should be on the fur and black band.
Read this score from left to right.
Focus the mind in the fingers and listen intently.

Transcription: Fur Music II
For either hand
Rest the finger on the fur with the thumb on the band of colors.
Rub the fingers gently back and forth on the fur.
Do not pass from one color to the next until fur of that color is heard.
Focus the mind and listen intently.