Art Talk
These Artists Would Be Better Choice to Design Oscars’ Stage
Edward talks about imaginative video works by contemporary artists at Marciano Art Foundation and Hammer Museum.
By Edward Goldman • • 3m ListenAs usual, Oscar night was full of pleasant surprises and disappointments. Some of my favorite nominees were awarded, along with others whom I didn’t care for at all. One thing that unfortunately dominated the Oscars for almost four hours was the overwhelming and rather cheesy stage design, with millions of Swarovski crystals.
Olafur Eliasson’s Reality projector in Marciano Art Foundation’s Theater Gallery. Photo by Joshua White/JWPictures.com.
Barbara Kruger, The Globe Shrinks, 2010. 4-screen video installation. Variable dimensions. 13 min loop. Installation view: Barbara Kruger, Sprueth Magers Berlin, September 03–October 23, 2010. © Barbara Kruger, Courtesy of Sprüth Magers. Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. Purchase. Equipment gifted by L&M Arts LA. Photo: Jens Ziehe.
Kara Walker, Still from ...calling to me from the angry surface of some grey and threatening sea. I was transported, 2007. Video installation, color, sound, 11 min. Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Joint purchase with the Hammer Museum, with funds from the Film, Video, and New Media Committee. © 2005 Kara Walker. Photograph courtesy Sikkema Jenkins & Co, N.Y.
Charles Atlas, The Tyranny of Consciousness, 2017. Five-channel video installation, color, sound. Audio: Helm and Lady Bunny. 23:44 min. Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. Purchased with funds provided by Robert Soros. © Charles Atlas; image courtesy of the artist and Luhring Augustine, New York.