Normally I would start with the opera, but the first large exhibition of Otto Dix's work at the Neue Galerie gets ranked first in importance because it's ridiculous Dix is not more well-known in this country. He's one of the most significant artists of the 20th Century and his work is unforgettable once you've seen it. With the exception of Goya, I cannot think of a painter who's willingness to portray his world was so unflinching and revealing. It's this quality, coupled with a deep level of skill and style, that gives Dix's art its potency.
The exhibit has some unfortunate absences- notably the Big City Triptych, Prager Strabe, The War Cripples, To Beauty, The Seven Deadly Sins, Der Krieg, Three Women, and the portraits of Dr. Paul and Sylvia Von Harden. Nevertheless, it's a comprehensive overview from the most important years of Dix's career and features a lot of work I hadn't seen before. There's a large selection of his WWI prints which still had the same hit-you-in-chest impact from the first time I saw them at LA's Museum of Art more than 20 years ago. This is not a touring show, and the Neue partnered with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to present it. So it's not coming to a city near you. The exhibit runs until August 30th. If you are in New York, don't miss it.
Oh- and we saw Maggie Gyllenhall there with her baby. She looks better in person and her child is very well-behaved- how many actresses you can say that about? One shame to the Neue- ask your store employees about how to create a commemorative exhibit poster- the one (wtf !?!) you have is unsuitable for the exhibit, and I really would have liked to have had one.
I didn't realize that anyone could participate in the "Artist is Present" portion of the show. If I could go back and participate in this, I surely would. This kind of art isn't to everyone's taste, and there are tons of naysayers who would say "where is the art in this?" but I was deeply moved by it- the video with her and her parents flanking her on each side, while her father aimlessly twirls a gun with a sinister, detached look on his face was simply chilling. I can't find a single image of that particular part to steal and post here, but the show ends May 31st and is fascinating, disturbing and yes, it is most certainly art.
After the Nueue, we went over to see the Cartier-Bresson exhibit at the MOMA, which was interesting, good even, but almost obliterated from my consciousness by the Marina Abramovic retrospective taking place on the same floor, along with the William Kentridge exhibit. I don't think I've ever seen an art exhibit that freaked me out to the extent this one did. It's truly disturbing, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. There's been a mountain of press on it, so do search if you want more details and information. The pictures here are stills from films or live presentations and can't possibly capture the impact of watching them or seeing them live.
I didn't realize that anyone could participate in the "Artist is Present" portion of the show. If I could go back and participate in this, I surely would. This kind of art isn't to everyone's taste, and there are tons of naysayers who would say "where is the art in this?" but I was deeply moved by it- the video with her and her parents flanking her on each side, while her father aimlessly twirls a gun with a sinister, detached look on his face was simply chilling. I can't find a single image of that particular part to steal and post here, but the show ends May 31st and is fascinating, disturbing and yes, it is most certainly art.
The Kentridge exhibit, which I missed when it was in San Francisco, was also deeply interesting (and alas, now over in NY), but it would also have taken a good two hours to absorb completely and I didn't have that much time to devote to it sadly. Having all three one the same floor? Priceless. First stop in NY on my next visit, after the opera house that is, is NY's MOMA- for an entire afternoon.
Which brings me to Berg's Lulu at the Met, which was fantastic but I'm going to save that for another post.
Hey Mark,
ReplyDeleteDid you see the Gormley's in Madison Square Park?
Also where did you pull that photo of Marina sitting? I was next on line that day after the guy in the chair, but his photo never came up in the potraits, so I'm curious...
MOMA is just on fire these days isn't it?
P.
I was trying to find a picture of the video with the parents (and failed) but while searching I came across this one and I honestly don't remember where I stole it from.
ReplyDeleteYes, MOMA seems on great roll, and unfortunately I missed the Gormley's in the park- you know there is only so much one can do in 60 hours, especially in the company of great companions who can divert one's attention from all of the local stimuli.
Wow, it sounds like you made good use of your 2 and a half days in New York! It also looks like a lot of your time was spent contemplating the darker side of human nature. I would have had Otto Dix at the Neue Gallerie at the top of my list too. I'm completely ignorant of his work, so this exhibit would be a much-needed corrective.
ReplyDeleteHow would you gauge the audience reaction to Marina Abramovic at the MOMA? Dismissive? Respectful? Ridiculing? Prurient?
It was a decidedly darker side as far as that goes, though the trip was really enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, though I suppose one should to pay attention to how others respond in an exhibit like this one especially, the Abramovic exhibit elicited such a strong response within me I barely paid any attention to those around me. It would be worth going back to just to watch how other people respond to the works, but they were so powerful, intriguing and often disturbing it would take a concentrated effort, at least on my part, to pull my attention to the surroundings.
I found out by a random walk down Sutter St the other day that our town has just become the home of The Marina Abramovic Institute West, which is about to launch a new exhibit this month. Hopefully I'll catch up and be able to blog about this before you beat me to it.
If a trip to NYC is on the horizon for you, do not miss the Dix exhibit- and though I haven't tried it, I've heard great things from many people about the Neue's cafe on the ground floor.
I have been to the Cafe Sabarsky, which is really a separate attraction in its own right, & I do recommend it, though I was slightly scandalized to discover the distinctly non-Austrian origin of my server.
ReplyDelete