This show is way too fun to be good for you. It doesn't seem like
an art show for people who like art. It is an art show for
people. I would go so far as to say it is an art show for people
who might think they don't like art at all, and end up loving
this show and being glad they paid the price of admission. So if
you are one of those people who thinks you do not like
contemporary art, I would encourage you to consider going to see
Dan Graham: Beyond, before the show closes, on May 25th, in about
six weeks.
Dan Graham, I didn't originally realize, I had seen or heard of
before. I didn't know if I liked his work or not. I don't recall
seeing anything like it before. Graham works with video,
including video from punk bands, and video installation. The MoCA
website includes an archived link to "Dan Graham in conversation
with Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth" which was
recorded February 15th of this year for the opening of
Graham’s show. From
reading Graham’s biography, I have learned that he
co-founded John Daniels gallery, which presented the first solo
exhibition of Sol LeWitt.
But my favorite pieces are not described in the artist's
biography, though I did realize I had seen his "Homes for
America" polaroids, but I hadn't remembered the name when I saw
this, his first, American retrospective in its entirety. I just love the
sculptures, the curvy ones, you can walk in. They are probably
intended to be something totally serious, but they are also very
playful, intellectually, in a way that is quite smart. They are
like plastic tinted some mirrorlike rooms you can walk into, but
you can't figure out which way out is the real one, and which is
merely a reflection. Then there are the interior cube like shapes
that have linking compartments of combinations of one-way, clear,
and two-way glass or mirror. One room thus bisected had a live
streaming video camera linked to a mirror which could then show
you reacting, live, to a video clip of you a few seconds earlier,
taken on the other side of the room, and so on ad infinum. It was
so fun. There was also a revolving door you could only go one
direction in, in the middle of the exhibition space. And I think
you should go, now, I am telling you, go see this show and you
won't regret it. I promise. Then, if you become a
dyed-in-the-wool Graham fan, you can go back to the museum,
Thursday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. for MoCA Curatorial Assistant
Christine Robinson leading a walkthrough discussing the film and
video works in the show. And a farewell note to any budding
collectors out there: Mark your Calendar. The Geffen Contemporary
FRESH auction is an exciting opportunity for you to purchase
works of art by 250 contemporary artists from around the world.
(Tickets/Info 213-633-5381)
-Moira Cue for ©The Hollywood Sentinel