Clever and interesting work, but what struck me is seeing photos of many of these pieces was essentially the same as seeing the objects in person. I’ve seen the Bauhaus work in the next gallery several times but doubt I’ll be returning to see this exhibit. Once you “get” the concept behind the art, there’s not much left. Car cut in thirds and reassembled without the center. Four bikes connected by their head tubes and seat posts. Hanging whale skeleton inscribed with circles. You can easily visualize the work and it’s exactly what you’d imagine. Sometimes that’s not enough.
Tag Archives: moma
Meet James Ensor, Belgium’s Famous Painter
MOMA has an exhibit of James Ensor’s work, closing on Sept 21. As Ensor himself would readily testify, time is running out. Obsessed with issues of identity and mortality his favorite subjects were skeletons and masks. He’s got a slightly wicked sense of humor, frequently self-deprecating. One of my favorites is entitled “My Portrait in 1960” – imagining the state of his material being at the age of 100.
Link to MOMA event calendar and the exhibit website.
Also check out the song by They Might Be Giants and appreciate the man.