MoMA PS1 Open House

MoMA PS1 in New York celebrated it's latest exhibitions including the much anticipated "Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960 - 1980" with a highly attended Open House on Sunday afternoon, October 21, 2012.  The arts community and it's supporters responded to the exhibitions enthusiastically and many accolades were bestowed upon the acheivement of curator Kellie Jones well structured and organized exhibition of works from artists spanning the 1960s through 1980s in Black Los Angeles culture.

The following images are representative of just some of the strong and impactful works of art by several of the artists whose works are currently on display at MoMA PS1 and this commentator highly recommends a visit to this museum for an experience of rich and meaningful engagement of the visual with historical meaning that touches each of us differently, yet evokes emotion of varying degrees.  Walking through the exhibition we suddenly recall images and voices from a time in our country's recent history that influenced our collective consciousness in profound ways and continues to show ripple effects, including this country's first black president.



Among the most well received artists' works were those of David Hammons whose work struck a strong emotive cord with many viewers of the exhibition.

Flight of Fantasy



Bird

Artist Dan Concholar's work spoke to me with rushes of flash images from a black and white television set in my parents living room when I was a child viewing the news and bewildered by what I saw; police, dogs, riots in the streets, fire hoses......

Suitcase



Artist Senga Nengudi - This work is one of my personal favorites from the exhibition.  Poignant piece of work.

Revery



Revery

(close up)

 

Only Love Saves the Day



Artist John Outterbridge

No Time for Jivin'

No Time for Jivin'

(close up)

Urban Man



Artist Maren Hassinger - installation

Place for Nature

Contemporary Art Globally Speaking

Interviews Visitors of the Exhibitions

Impressionism

The artist Matt Connors first museum solo exhibition October 21 - December 31, 2012.

 

New Pictures of Common Objects

Artists Trisha Baga and Lucas Blalock video and photography media on exhibition.  Other artists exhibiting include Josh Kline, Margaret Lee and Helen Marten.







 

The Meeting

A musical performance in the Dome at MoMA PS1 on Sunday, October 21, 2012 that celebrated Elaine Brown of the Black Panthers and her strong and intergral role in that organization that spearheaded many civil rights activities of the 1960's.

Below is an excerpt from a musical performance by musicians Malik Gaines and Charles Gaines entitled "Assassination", an eloquent and deeply stirring number that personifies the beauty intertwined with and laced with the somberness of the the process of societal change.



In closing I would like to express graditude to the curators and organizers who created beautiful and inspiring exhibitions and to the staff of MoMA PS1 who managed the Open House flawlessly like a well orchestrated performance.  Special thanks to Rebecca Taylor, Communications Director of MoMA PS1 for inviting me to participate and report on the museum's special day and to Zak who along with other staff members (you know who you are) assisted me on Sunday efficiently and above and beyond the call of duty, your the best!

The artists whose works are exhibited and with special note, from the exhibition "Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960 - 1980", thank you for expressing yourselves artistically during one of the most politically turbulent periods of time in our country's history.  Your contributions have helped to heal, teach and ultimately bring joy as well as mark a dark time in history and we thank you.

Always Yours,

Ava Wright

Commentator and Blogger

Contemporary Art Globally Speaking

Contact Information for:

MoMA PS1

4601 21st Street

Long Island City, New York 11101, USA

(718) 433-4807

www.momaps1.org