| The New York Optimist |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| © MMIX, The New York Optimist. All Rights Reserved. The New York Optimist & www.thenewyorkoptimist.com is a registered trademark of The New York Optimist. The New York Optimist is a registered service mark of Thenewyorkoptimist.com. The New York Optimist logo and original photos are a registered trademark of The New York Optimist . All other photos are property of the advertiser. And are rightfully protected under their copywright protections. |
SHARE
| Skin Fruit at The New Museum: Not So New, Not So Bad |
Rachel Smith Althof
rachelsmithalthof@gmail.com
http://rsablog.wordpress.com/
rachelsmithalthof@gmail.com
http://rsablog.wordpress.com/
Skin Fruit at The New Museum has received scathing reviews,
and it seems to be a result of a contradictory state of being. The New
Museum opened under Marcia Tucker as a new option somewhere
between the small galleries and the large art institutions. The New
Museum promised to be, well, a new type of museum. Here within lies
the dilemma: it really isn’t a new type of museum and people know it.
The consensus seems to be that Skin Fruit is an exhibition of
powerhouse works, curated very poorly by Jeff Koons. I’ll admit that
the show is arranged more like an all-you-can-eat buffet rather than a
carefully placed table setting, but why aren’t the critics focusing on the
food? Jeff Koons is an interesting choice as curator, and certainly
invites discussion, specifically about the relationship between artist and
curator. However, the discussions aren’t so focused on that element. I
think the issues arose due to the inherent contradictions in the mission
of the museum. How is a museum exhibiting the collection of one of its
trustees a new idea? It is not. Whether it’s ethical or not is an entirely
different discussion. Regardless, I’d much rather see a poorly
arranged exhibition of stellar art than a thoughtfully organized
exhibition of terrible art.
and it seems to be a result of a contradictory state of being. The New
Museum opened under Marcia Tucker as a new option somewhere
between the small galleries and the large art institutions. The New
Museum promised to be, well, a new type of museum. Here within lies
the dilemma: it really isn’t a new type of museum and people know it.
The consensus seems to be that Skin Fruit is an exhibition of
powerhouse works, curated very poorly by Jeff Koons. I’ll admit that
the show is arranged more like an all-you-can-eat buffet rather than a
carefully placed table setting, but why aren’t the critics focusing on the
food? Jeff Koons is an interesting choice as curator, and certainly
invites discussion, specifically about the relationship between artist and
curator. However, the discussions aren’t so focused on that element. I
think the issues arose due to the inherent contradictions in the mission
of the museum. How is a museum exhibiting the collection of one of its
trustees a new idea? It is not. Whether it’s ethical or not is an entirely
different discussion. Regardless, I’d much rather see a poorly
arranged exhibition of stellar art than a thoughtfully organized
exhibition of terrible art.
Jeff Koons, One Ball Total Equilibrium Tank, 1985. Glass,
iron, water, and basketball, 64 1/2 x 30 1/2 x 13 1/4 in (164 x
77 x 34 cm). The Dakis Joannou Collection, Athens.
iron, water, and basketball, 64 1/2 x 30 1/2 x 13 1/4 in (164 x
77 x 34 cm). The Dakis Joannou Collection, Athens.
