Art, Love & Politics in the 1980s

CP students visited two interesting exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art this semester.  “This will have been: Art, Love & Politics in the 1980s”    touches on major developments of the period, including the politicization of the AIDS crisis and the increased visibility of women and gay artists and artists of color. 

“The Language of Less (Then and Now)” is inspired by the MCA’s holdings from the 1960s and 70s  of Minimal art – art that a) rejects imagery, b) reveals little, if any, evidence of the artist’s hand, and c) embraces industrial materials.    Minimalist art creates a presence, and elicits a response more so than representative art.  

In addition to the work of traditional minimalists such as Carl Andre, Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt and Richard Serra, the “Then” exhibit includes work of artists such as Martin Puryear, an African American artist who was not accepted as a minimalist of the time.    The “Now” exhibit of contemporary artists has pieces by Leonor Antunes, Carol Bove, Jason Dodge, Gedi Sibony, and Oscar Tuazon.