Contemporary Art in the USA

It’s no secret that the USA is home for many things innovative. Despite being oftentimes bashed for promoting mass-production, consumerism and other modern-day vices, the USA has a lot to offer when it comes to authenticity, innovation, forward-looking and unique perspectives. Such features of this modern day economic and cultural giant combined with freedom of speech and expression most often widely preached and promoted all over the country automatically allow for an environment where contemporary art could flourish and bloom in all its beauty and potential.

Spaces

MoMA, New York. If New York is the place to be when it comes to unique artistic expression, MoMA is the place to be in the New York City when it comes to contemporary art. It opened in rather symbolic times – nine days after the stock market crash that caused the country to sink into the Great Depression of 1929. Since then, it grew to become one of the most significant art hubs in the world. There are over 150 000 pieces of art there, with Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” or Andy Warhol’s “Cambell’s Soup Cans” to start off the impressive list.

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. This museum was the first ever in the USA to host an exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s works as well as the one to host the first Jeff Koon’s, the controversial American artist’s, exhibition. The museum also offers impressive sights of the city through its magnanimous glass windows/walls that can be perceived as an artwork of its own standing. Permanent collections there feature surrealist, pop art and post-modern pieces, but it is also famous for hosting contemporary theatre and dance performances.

The Museum of Contemporary Art, LA. Opened 1979, it is a rather young contemporary art institution. That being said, it hosts arguably the most impressive modern and contemporary art collection in the country. The works are mostly gifts from private collectors.

Artists

Jeff Koon. Known for his attempts to deal with pop culture, Koon’s artwork mostly involves sculptures that portray everyday objects like balloon animals with reflexive surfaces. His piece “Rabbit” was sold for 91.1 million dollars, which is the largest sum of money paid for a work of a living artist. He himself claims that there is no underlying thought in his works and is subject to harshly divided opinions of art critics.

Walid Raad. This Beirut-born artists lives and works in NY. Raad recently had a show in the previously mentioned MoMA, where he presented his photographs, video and sculptures. However, this was all topped off by “Walkthrough”, a performance that displayed a geopolitical net which showed shrinking artworks and illusional colours.

Nicole Eisenman. She also had her work featured in MoMA as well as Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Although she is mostly famous for her paintings that explore themes of comedy and sexuality, her works that include installations and sculptures are also worth your time. On top of being a renowned artist, she is also a professor at Bard College.