one of my not-quite-bucket-list items was to make it to a Whitney Biennial ever since hearing about it a couple years ago and being just a couple weeks too early last time. i really enjoy modern art, so getting a chance to see the the avant-garde in a world-famous exhibition — well, i couldn’t pass it up.
“Travailler Je ne travaille pas” by Georgia Sagri
“Pipe Organ” by Lutz Bacher
Dawn Kasper (in the back) moved her entire studio into a gallery and invited people to hang out with her, including this kid who wanted to play the drums.
“This Could Be Something If I Let It” by Dawn Kasper
this piece had ferrofluid poured on top of metallic shapes, forming tiny spikes that were blown gently by fans.
“Fluid Employment” by Sam Lewitt
not an Instagram, but I had to show the beautiful kinetic properties of this ferrofluid:
Blowing in the wind — UPDATE 2014-04-18 — apparnetly cinemagram no longer is functioning
When Life Imitates Art — with works by Nicole Eisenman
the following is one in a series of photographs the artist took of her hometown, braddock, pennsylvania, highlighting the deteriorating economic conditions that are plaguing it. she has a biting response to one of my absolute favorite ad campaigns, Go Forth by Levi’s (this is my favorite); one of the commercials was filmed in braddock. the text below the picture reads, “How can we go forth when our borough’s buses and ambulances have been cut?”
“Go Forth Where? We Don’t Have Horses in Braddock!” by Latoya Ruby Frazier
“From the Canyons to the Stars” by Joanna Malinowska and untitled works by Kai Althoff
“For Hire” by Oscar Tuazon
i also saw the Sarah Michelson dance performance, and while i’m no connoisseur of modern dance (can someone please explain why one of the dancers was wearing a horse head?), the sheer stamina and strength required to put on a show like that (particularly the lady in blue, whose proud parents i was standing next to in line) is astounding. without being too reductive (it’s really quite amazing), can you imagine basically a) speedwalking b) backwards c) in circles d) on tiptoe e) with your arms outstretched f) for 90 minutes?
if you’re planning to go, get there early, especially if you are hoping to catch one of the ticket-only fourth floor performances since all presales are sold out. i was sixth in line when i got there at 10:30 (they opened at 11) and by 10:45 the line was around the block. also, remember that they participate in the bank of america museums on us program, meaning on the first full weekend of every month (like today!) b of a cardholders (like me!) get free admission (yay!).
Oh cool! I love these kinds of modern art exhibits. Sadly I’ve never been to the Whitney before 🙁
if you can hold out for two years, it might be worth it to try for the 2014 biennial!