But when i finally got to about across the street from the building itself i was kind of shocked. To me it looked like some kind of New York City store front rather than a museum. I walked in and was even more surprised to see that it basically was a store front with a book/gift store right up front and a cafe towards the back.
I didn't think much of it because i was more interested in seeing what art there was to look at. Unfortunately i was disappointed there too. The lady at the desk informed us that they were setting up installations and that we would only be able to see work on the fourth and fifth floor. We decided that we would do it since we had come all this way and wanted to see something.
So we trudged our way up the small staircase passing signs on doors that said, FLOOR CLOSED. When we got to the fourth floor i opened the door and saw white, turned the corner and saw the fascinating sculptures of Urs Fischer, which reminded me of giant metallic looking pieces of coral. I walked around them imagining myself as a fish and even hiding under one of the pieces nooks. It was really interesting how they fit into the space of the floor, it had such presence and encouraged you to look at it from all angles, but i didn't quite understand the other parts of the sculpture which looked like a bus seat with a duffel bag and a cake or something. I really don't understand how they tied together to be honest.
On the fifth floor there was the exhibit on Museum as a Hub: In and Out of Context, which is exactly what the installation was about, the museum as a hub for experimental ideas in creating and displaying art from around the world to New York City. There were a few speakers on the wall where you first come in. it was titled INTERROGATIONS 1-5 When they ask me I'll introduce them to you from 2008-09 and it was created by Rana Hamadeh It was from Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporaneo in Mexico City. The way it was set up was interesting being right by the stair entrance it kind of takes you by surprise but it's a little confusing to look at and listen to.
Around the corner was a wooden bench area for viewing movies. On the left was the Cairo Residency Symposium March 25-27, 2009 which was from the Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art in Cairo. On the right was John bock's PARA-SCHIZO, ensnarfed, 2008 which was a two-channel video, color and sound and was 40 minutes long. This was from Arko Art Center and Insa Art Space of the Arts Council Korea. I just remember seeing this man and woman battle with this string contraptions made from everyday household items turned into some strange useless machine. I don't even know if they were really battling to be honest but the whole idea was really interesting and comical to me.
The third thing i saw in the installation was a small model made of cardboard and wood set on interesting tables with chairs that appeared to be custom made. This piece was by Young Whan Bae and it was titled Tomorow. The models were to propose ideas for a public library design and were from the Collection at the Gyeonngi Museum of Modern Art. in my opinion they were pretty interesting and colofrul conceptually and it would be neat to see something like that actually be built. unfortunately I think some people thought it was ok to touch the models because they looked a little damaged and torn up.
Overall the museum was slightly disappointing and a little pricey for what they have to offer in my opinion, but i did get a free pass to go in again before some time in February because i got there while they were setting up installations and got gypped, so hopefully my next visit will be a better experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment