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LEADBESTOF
And just like that, there goes June. Actually, there goes six months. Efff. Well, at least it’s awesome outside. All week long, we’ve been looking back at the six months that was, from the best albums to the best sneakers to the best brands. How was your culture intake from Jan 1, 2011 through to today? Check out this list and see how many of this year’s exhibits you had an opportunity to experience.
Fireland
10. Ian Francis "Fireland," Joshua Liner Gallery (March 4 to April 2, 2011)
Hot chicks in abstract narratives painted with a range of technique (acrylic, oil, charcoal, ink)—what's not to like about Ian Francis? Fireland was his US debut, and more than enough for us to eagerly anticipate the next one.
Quilts
9. Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts, Park Avenue Armory (March 25 to 30, 2011)
For most, the idea of a quilt exhibition doesn't scream excitement. However, the stunning installation of 650 red and white quilts (all from the Joanna S. Rose collection), which dominated the Park Avenue Armory for an all too brief 5 day stretch, was an extraordinary experience.
StreetCred
8. Street Cred, Pasadena Museum of California Art (May 15 to September 4, 2011)
If Art in the Streets over at MoCA hits for international breadth, Stred Cred—at nearby Pasadena Museum of California Art—succeeds in narrowing scope and celebrating the Los Angeles area's unique contributions to street art. RETNA painted the ENTIRE museum. And, well, that is just plain awesome.
ilmage
7. iImage: The Uncommon Portrait, Portland Museum of Art (January 26 to April 24, 2011)
Proving innovative art exhibitions are achievable outside the big city, the Portsmouth Museum of Art in New Hampshire explored evolving ideas of the portrait through iImage. Drawing from artists like WK Interact, the show highlighted works created through digital media. We might dare to say that celebrating computer born portraiture is slightly more daring than mounting street art in institutional galleries.
condo
6. George Condo, New Museum (January 26 to May 8, 2011)
If you didn’t know George Condo before 2010, Kanye West made damn sure the artist was on your radar. When George Condo: Mental States opened in January, we were well primed for the conceptual survey of the artist's career. The opening gallery, with magnificent salon-style hanging of Condo's most famed portraits, made the show.
Slinkachu
5. Slinkachu "Concrete Ocean," Andipa Gallery, London (March 3 to April 2, 2011)
Miniature scenes briefly installed on the street and beautifully photographed form the back bone of Slinkachu's art. "Concrete Ocean" included pieces like "The Last Resort" a perfect showcase for the 1:87 scale works that play on feelings of vulnerability in the urban environment.
Parla
4. Jose Parla "Walls, Diaries, and Paintings," Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery (March 4 to April 16, 2011)
Parla's a firm favorite. The 15 paintings shared at Bryce Wolkowitz served to hammer that down. Plus, the impressive site-specific installation, which included a telephone and poster shreds from Supreme's Lady Gaga campaign, brought to life the full range of Parla's influences.
CONE
3. Collecting Matisse and Modern Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore, The Jewish Museum New York (May 6 to September 25, 2011)
With a collection built from the spoils of a denim empire, the Cone Sisters of Baltimore are largely responsible for introducing Matisse and Picasso to America. The exhibition, which celebrates their collection and relationship with the artists, includes some stunning art… and even more staggering ephemera. You've not seen a cool business card until you've caught a glimpse of Matisse's personal calling card.
Ligon
2. Glenn Ligon: America, Whitney (March 10 to June 5, 2011)
Ligon, a New York-based artist, has explored American history, literature and society throughout his career. Glen Ligon: America is the first comprehensive survey of the artist's work, a staggering assemblage of roughly 100 works that share Ligon's skill in a variety of media. His landmark text-based paintings were the highlight. If you missed it, don't worry… the show is set for a Fall stint in LA at LACMA.
MOCA
1. Art in the Streets, MoCA (April 17 to August 8, 2011)
Jeffery Deitch's landmark exhibition, Art in the Streets, celebrates the diversity of graffiti and street art. With aid from Roger Gastman, rich archival material balances a staggering array of large scale installation from a who's who of the street art scene—Banksy, Invader, ESPO, Mr. Cartoon, and many more. Art in the Streets is both celebration of achievement and validation of latest major wave of outsider arts. Sadly, the Brooklyn Museum's proposed hosting of a traveling version has been stifled for financial reasons. Get to LA before the August 8, 2011 close date.