The Times are Changing / More on MOCA

I read this very thought-provoking article in the LA Times (shocking, I know!) by Mary McNamara on the changing vision of MOCA and it's controversial Director, Jeffrey Deitch.  Ms McNamara asks the question, in today's contemporary (read: wired) society, is it possible to reach an increasingly distracted audience without losing the depth and focus of what you originally intended?  I think "Newsroom" on HBO asks the same questions and Ms. McNamara points out that with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert being the most trusted "newsmen" in America, the times are indeed changing.  Give it a read.


http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-critics-notebook-moca-20120723,0,7831950.story

Disco MoCA

I've been formulating a post on the firing of Paul Schimmel from MOCA but when I saw this article I just had to share it.   It says so much.  Get out your glitter platforms art girls...it's disco time at MoCA. Thanks Jeffrey!  Forget all those ground-breaking shows that Paul curated for us all those years.  Who needs scholarship!  Who needs art history!   Dim all the lights sweet Jeffrey and clear the room of the Rothkos and the Pollock...we gonna dance the night away!

http://galleristny.com/2012/07/jeffrey-deitch-on-james-murphys-fire-in-the-disco-show-at-moca-la/

Liquor Library at Playa

Beautiful spot for a night cap.

Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present

File under "Must Watch!"  I watched the documentary on Marina Abramovic this past weekend.  The film chronicles the preparation for Abramovic's retrospective exhibition at MOMA in 2010 and the compelling performance work of the same name; "The Artist is Present."  This cranky gallery girl highly recommends this art doc for insight into this controversial, provocative and ground breaking, performance artist.  Ask yourself how many times you have really connected with a stranger?

Checkout MoMA's photo stream on Flickr to see portraits of the sitters, their emotional reaction and the length of time they sat with Marina.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/themuseumofmodernart/sets/72157623741486824/

4th of July in the Bathtub

Earlier this week, I saw a film that I can't stop thinking about, "Beasts of the Southern Wild."  For me, the way in which Benh Zeitlin, the director told the story of people that I've never seen before was masterful and quite an achievement for a first time director. The extraordinary acting (by non actors, by the way) and beautiful art direction left me stuck in my chair when the lights came up.  Since it's showing at both Sundance and Cannes, "Beasts" is already getting quite a lot of buzz. I hope you are able to see it before reading about it so as to savor the many surprises of this beautiful, poetic and hopeful film. The reason I am making note of this film today is to share with you the astute and timely observations made by AO Scott and David Carr of the NY Times about this film. In light of our divisive political climate, the events of this week in our country, and the notion of what it is to be American, I think their comments about "Beasts" are worthy of our attention. Happy 4th of July.

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2012/06/29/arts/design/100000001636103/the-sweet-spot-june-29-2012.html?partner=rss

The Rock Has Arrived

After much fanfare Michael Heizer's "Levitated Mass" has finally opened at LACMA.  It definitely completes the museum campus in a very inviting and engaging way. But don't ask me what it means or what the artist's intent for the work is.  Just enjoy.

The (Girl) Power of Humor

I assume all of my fellow art girls and others alike are equally saddened by the untimely passing of Nora Ephron. Anyone who could bring us Silkwood, Heartburn, When Harry Met Sally, I Feel Bad about my Neck and so many other fantastic films, essays and plays is a voice that will be missed among women and men of all ages. Hearing and reading all of the loving tributes in newspapers, blogs and on NPR make me miss her all the more. What stories were left untold? How many laughs were waiting to be laughed. As Nora’s life was chronicled again and again, I couldn’t help but marvel at the amazing journey this woman had in only 71 short years. From being the first woman writer at The Post to writing, directing and producing her own feature films is quite a triumph. Her life wasn’t without it’s ups and downs but she always seemed to make lemonade out of those lemons. She did have a big leg up being born to successful parents who were in “the biz” but there are lots of people in the same situation who don’t accomplish half as much. If ever there was a shining example of the importance of having a good education and a sense of humor, I think Nora Ephron is it. Like so many others, I will miss her. I really will have "what she’s having."