ART CITIES:L.A.-The Art of Our Time

Founded in 1979, The Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is the only museum in Los Angeles devoted exclusively to contemporary Art. In a remarkably short time, MOCA has developed one of the U.S.A.’s most renowned permanent collections. Today the museum is housed in three unique facilities: MOCA Grand Avenue, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, and MOCA Pacific Design Center.

By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: MOCA Archive

The exhibition “The Art of Our Time” highlights the affinities between artists and works in an attempt to rethink the now conventional chronological installation of art. By exploring connections that emerge through artist friendships, the history of art schools, and artists own stated interest in other artists work, this presentation of post-1945 art highlights iconic works alongside lesser known material drawn from the nearly 7000 objects in MOCA’s collection. The galleries on the South side of the building are installed roughly chronologically beginning with works made in the ‘40s and ’50s, featuring Abstract Expressionism, European Abstraction, and a gallery dedicated to the experimental art school Black Mountain College. These galleries also showcase iconic works by pop artists, such as James Rosenquist and Roy Lichtenstein, in addition to works by Jasper Johns and Betye Saar. One room is dedicated to the luminous canvases of Mark Rothko, while another features works from the ‘60s and ’70s that explore the problems of architecture and new modes of artistic practice. The final gallery highlights works made in the wake of the feminist revolution. The North galleries showcase recent acquisitions by artists such as Sharon Hayes, Pierre Huyghe, and Glenn Ligon. Focusing more exclusively on the art of our time, these galleries showcase artists based in California like Chris Burden, Mark Grotjahn, Liz Larner, and Catherine Opie, contextualized alongside international artists like Jac Leirner and Chris Ofili. These galleries explore a variety of ideas ranging from the decorative and the American landscape to changing conceptions of portraiture.

Info: Curator: Helen Molesworth, The Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Grand Avenue, 250 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 29/8/15-12/9/16, Days & Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 11:00-18:00, Thu 11:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00, www.moca.org