The Contemporary Museum traces media in the Broadcast
Other artists include: Dara Birnbaum (1994), Gregory Green (2007), Christian Jankowski (1999), Inigo Manlando-Ovalle (2001), Antoni Muntadas (1977), neuroTransmitter (artist collective 2005) and TVTV/Top Value Television (artist-collective 1972).
The strength of the exhibit is its variety of media. While thematically focused on media, the variety of methods of engagement is impressive. Included, as mentioned, are screened documentaries and installations of manipulated broadcasts. Additionally, however, there are a chromogenic print, a sculpture constructed of technical broadcast material - wires, nails, radio transmitter - and two interactive installations - one of a pirate radio station and another that mixes a classroom with television viewing.
While the pieces of the exhibit are wholly impressive and successful in inducing critical thought, the presentation of the works leaves something to be desired. It seems that the accessible space for the Contemporary Museum is quite limited. The exhibition begins on the upstairs floor where the space has clearly not been fashioned for a gallery. It is something of a dirty-carpeted meeting place. This has no effect on the documentary screenings, which are held in dark rooms. But of the other pieces, one of the strongest ("The Last Ten Minutes") and the pirate radio station seem to be thrown in last minute. They lack the spatial framing that would psychologically lend them more importance and attention. The latter half of the exhibit, however, is fashioned in a beautiful gallery space on street level.
There are also complaints against the curator's descriptions of the artists' pieces. While they are certainly necessary as markers, the ones for this exhibit provide suggestions for how to interpret the piece. There are many readings outside of the suggested, the latter being unsophisticated and misguiding.
A new feature of the museum, and one worth commenting on in light of this themed exhibition, are guided cell phone tours, which can be accessed in the museum or at home. While a few of the commentaries do provide more information than the imperfect labels, such as an artist's description of the creative process, they add, regrettably, very little to one's understanding of the pieces. It's more of a hassle. What seems so provocative about this inclusion is that, in itself, it is an assertion of the authority of media or oral presentation - the very thing that the artists seem to be resisting. Perhaps this was included as another piece, but it seems more of a superfluous and thoughtless buy-in to technology as the venue by which we may connect to that which is, obviously, standing right before us.
Despite the overabundant access to curatorial explanations that are less than interesting and the limited spaces of the museum, the exhibit is not one to miss. The artists are provocative thinkers who offer an array of unique guides for critiquing cultural norms of communication, the power and role of authority, and how insertion and manipulation of broadcast empowers the artists' messages. The exhibit will be running until Nov. 18. And if you are perversely curious, the guided tour can be reached at (703) 637-6789.
The strength of the exhibit is its variety of media. While thematically focused on media, the variety of methods of engagement is impressive. Included, as mentioned, are screened documentaries and installations of manipulated broadcasts. Additionally, however, there are a chromogenic print, a sculpture constructed of technical broadcast material - wires, nails, radio transmitter - and two interactive installations - one of a pirate radio station and another that mixes a classroom with television viewing.
While the pieces of the exhibit are wholly impressive and successful in inducing critical thought, the presentation of the works leaves something to be desired. It seems that the accessible space for the Contemporary Museum is quite limited. The exhibition begins on the upstairs floor where the space has clearly not been fashioned for a gallery. It is something of a dirty-carpeted meeting place. This has no effect on the documentary screenings, which are held in dark rooms. But of the other pieces, one of the strongest ("The Last Ten Minutes") and the pirate radio station seem to be thrown in last minute. They lack the spatial framing that would psychologically lend them more importance and attention. The latter half of the exhibit, however, is fashioned in a beautiful gallery space on street level.
There are also complaints against the curator's descriptions of the artists' pieces. While they are certainly necessary as markers, the ones for this exhibit provide suggestions for how to interpret the piece. There are many readings outside of the suggested, the latter being unsophisticated and misguiding.
A new feature of the museum, and one worth commenting on in light of this themed exhibition, are guided cell phone tours, which can be accessed in the museum or at home. While a few of the commentaries do provide more information than the imperfect labels, such as an artist's description of the creative process, they add, regrettably, very little to one's understanding of the pieces. It's more of a hassle. What seems so provocative about this inclusion is that, in itself, it is an assertion of the authority of media or oral presentation - the very thing that the artists seem to be resisting. Perhaps this was included as another piece, but it seems more of a superfluous and thoughtless buy-in to technology as the venue by which we may connect to that which is, obviously, standing right before us.
Despite the overabundant access to curatorial explanations that are less than interesting and the limited spaces of the museum, the exhibit is not one to miss. The artists are provocative thinkers who offer an array of unique guides for critiquing cultural norms of communication, the power and role of authority, and how insertion and manipulation of broadcast empowers the artists' messages. The exhibit will be running until Nov. 18. And if you are perversely curious, the guided tour can be reached at (703) 637-6789.
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