Musings on the Contemporary from the Heart of the Past

I have been thinking a lot about the concept of a “dialectical contemporary” since reading Radical Museology by Claire Bishop. After following her on a flighty journey through three “contemporary” museums and discussing the benefits and drawbacks of their methods, I found myself drawn to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Solid. Lion-adorned. Established 1879.

As problematic as the place may be, I wanted to return to this ground rich with art historical roots. But because I took some time to enjoy the beautiful weather with my roommates in Millennium Park ahead of time, I ended up entering the museum through the Modern Wing. I was confronted not with the dim, stately environment I was guiltily craving, but rather with bright skylight courtesy of Renzo Piano. Further, the first exhibition I happened upon was In all my wildest dreams by Kemang Wa Lehulere, born 1984.

I had to laugh.

This artist’s mission is dialectical contemporaneity to a T. Wa Lehulere is a Cape Town artist who, in the words of the exhibition pamphlet, “reimagines what he calls ‘deleted scenes’ from South African history.” His goal is to put in conversation delicate individual memories and the “too-solid” historical conventions that society constructs. His work “insists on the production and apprehension of history and memory as always necessarily in process, in the present, and thus ongoing, into the future.” Based on this didactic information, nothing could sound more like temporalities in dialogue.

But what did it look like? I had to take the art objects into account, as well as the exhibition design. Even if the art itself successfully produced inter-temporal dialogue, much of Bishop’s point lay in the presentation of works in the museums. And the presentation of this work did not feel groundbreaking. In fact, it felt very much out of the past. The works were labeled on the walls only with basic information: artist, title, date, and medium. Additional didactics could be picked up in brochure form by the door, but one could easily ignore them. This would not have bothered me as much if the labels on the walls seemed to achieve their basic purpose. For example, there were two artworks side by side labeled Spatial Poem Reply 1 and Spatial Poem Reply 2, and they looked like this:

img_2328

The labels looked like this:

img_2329

The labels list only “instant color photographs” as the medium, but I would be willing to bet that the artist laid out the photos and designed the gaps with the mounting putty. The exploration of these gaps parallels Wa Lehulere’s exploration of other omissions from the historical record. That makes the frame and putty part of the artwork, but the Art Institute appears to have passed up the opportunity to question museum standards. They continue to ignore the frame.

As much as I wanted to escape the esoteric notion of the contemporary posed by Bishop, this exhibition, oddly, made me agree with her more. I wasn’t satisfied with the artist’s living status or the recently made works. The display and interaction did not feel aligned with a dialectical contemporary.

The Moholy-Nagy exhibition, Future Present, felt counterintuitively more contemporary by this definition. In the final gallery of this exhibition, the display attempts to connect the viewer’s temporality to Moholy’s by using the artist’s own design. Moholy “lived intensely in the present,” and so the viewer is supposed to be transported to his moment due to the setting of his artwork he would have devised.

img_2337

img_2338

It’s a clever trick, but ultimately it lacks something just as the Wa Lehulere exhibition does. Both exhibitions are mired in the past in terms of exhibition design; one method (Moholy-Nagy’s) was just novel more recently. But Future Present additionally feels the lack of a living artist, which I still think means something in terms of contemporaneity.

So, that was just a few of my reflections on the dialectical contemporary in the most surprising (read: ancient) of places. I think I will increasingly be looking at exhibitions and broader culture in terms of intersecting temporalities moving forward. It’s a fascinating way of connecting to otherwise inaccessible art, and now this form of contemporary is appearing to me everywhere, though it’s still a very tall order to do it right by Bishop.

Featured Image: Future Present didactic wall at the Art Institute.

1,715 Comments

  • qhlseo commented on October 28, 2024 Reply

    You can sleep and enjoy the moment chill. https://bojun88.com/

  • anonymous commented on October 28, 2024 Reply

    I would like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this work. Their insights, guidance, and encouragement made a significant difference in shaping this content. Thank you for your valuable support and expertise. – andhra pradesh lottery news

  • qhlseo commented on October 28, 2024 Reply

    Investing in understanding yields the highest dividends. F8BET

  • 베팅의민족 commented on October 28, 2024 Reply

    This is my first time visit to your blog and I am very interested in the articles that you serve. Provide enough knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing useful and don’t forget, keep sharing useful info 베팅의민족

  • 카지노 사이트 commented on October 28, 2024 Reply

    I am glad to read your blog. your blog is really awesome and cool. your blog is really great and cool. thanks for sharing the nice and cool post. 카지노 사이트

  • qhlseo commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    thabet
    The specialist in any field once started as an amateur. thabet

  • qhlseo commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    Intellect combined with moral qualities. helo88

  • 123bet commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    Your information is very good. Keep up the work. I will definitely invite my friends to read again.
    123bet

  • http://789bet.domains/ commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    “Your explanation is spot-on—clear, concise, and to the point. Thank you for sharing.”
    http://789bet.domains/

  • qhlseo commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    That is the objective of genuine learning. 188bet

  • lionbacklinks commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work http://789bet.domains/

  • qhlseo commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    The intellect is not an empty container. thabet

  • qhlseo commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    To be loaded but a flame to be ignited. 188bet

  • 해외축구 commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    Thanks for sharing such information with us due to which my several concepts have been cleared.  해외축구

  • sasasasasasasasaas commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    Mibet88.care ( https://mibet88.care/ ) là nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến nổi bật, mang đến trải nghiệm giải trí đa dạng với nhiều hình thức như thể thao, inocas, lô đề, và xổ số. Nhà cái này nổi tiếng với giao diện thân thiện, dễ sử dụng và dịch vụ hỗ trợ khách hàng tận tâm, sẵn sàng 24/7. Mibet88 đảm bảo an toàn cho mọi giao dịch thông qua hệ thống bảo mật tiên tiến, giúp người chơi yên tâm khi tham gia. Ngoài ra, các chương trình khuyến mãi hấp dẫn tại đây liên tục được cập nhật, mang lại cơ hội lớn để tăng thêm thu nhập. Với những lợi thế này, Mibet88.care đang dần khẳng định vị thế là một trong những nhà cái uy tín hàng đầu tại https://mibet88.care/

  • CakhiaTV commented on October 29, 2024 Reply

    CakhiaTV – https://cakhiatvz.video/ đã nhanh chóng khẳng định mình là một trong những nền tảng trực tiếp bóng đá hàng đầu tại Việt Nam. Chúng tôi cung cấp dịch vụ xem bóng đá trực tuyến miễn phí với tốc độ truy cập nhanh chóng, thu hút hàng triệu lượt xem từ người hâm mộ. Dù bạn là một fan cuồng bóng đá hay người mới bắt đầu tìm hiểu football, trang web cakhiatvz.video đều đáp ứng được tất cả nhu cầu của bạn.

  • qhlseo commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Gracefulness is not about attracting attention. 12bet

  • qhlseo commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    It’s about leaving a lasting impression. RR88

  • SARA789 commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! Slot

  • Joker gaming commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! Slot

  • qhlseo commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Sophistication is when the inner beauty. https://svdltd.com/

  • Adoro commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Discover Adoro stylish and comfortable casual shoes for men designed to elevate your wardrobe. Shop now for the perfect blend of style and comfort.

  • qhlseo commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Matches the outer appearance good. Link Mới 888B

  • Adoro commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Discover the latest collection of formal shoes for men at Adoro. Find stylish and comfortable footwear to elevate your professional wardrobe.

  • ammarakhan commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Discover the latest collection of women ready to wear fashion by Ammara Khan. Shop now for stylish and elegant pieces that will elevate your wardrobe.

  • qhlseo commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    The fundamental element of genuine gracefulness is simplicity. fb88t3 com

  • Qamaash commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Explore Kanwal Malik designer dress in the UK, exclusively at Qamaash. Our collection showcases luxurious, hand-crafted gowns that fuse traditional elegance with contemporary style. Perfect for weddings and formal events, these stunning designs redefine timeless fashion

  • Gavangtv commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    Gavangtv – https://gavangvip.site/ không chỉ đơn thuần là một trang web xem trực tiếp bóng đá, mà còn là một trải nghiệm thú vị. Nơi bạn có thể theo dõi mọi trận bóng hấp dẫn trong thời gian thực và thông tin thể thao uy tín. GavangTV trực tiếp bóng đá hd với bình luận viên chuyên nghiệp, nguồn link bản quyền các giải đấu đang phát sóng hoàn toàn miễn phí. Kênh Gavang TV còn sở hữu nhiều tính năng cũng cấp thông tin phong phú cho người dùng như: Lịch thi đấu, KQBD, BXH, tin thể thao từ nhiều nguồn uy tín đã sở hữu bản quyền.

  • lava commented on October 30, 2024 Reply

    สล็อตเว็บตรง เราเปิดให้บริการตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง ไม่เว้นวันหยุด ให้คุณสามารถเข้ามา เล่น lavagame
    เมื่อไหร่ เวลาไหน หรือเล่นสถานที่ไหนก็ได้ เราไม่จำกัดเลย และคุณยังสามารถเล่น ได้ตั้งแต่ 10 บาท เป็นต้นไป เป็นต้นทุนที่ต่ำมาก ๆ<a target="_blank" href="https://www.lava345th.net/&quot; เมื่อเทียบกับเงินรางวัลที่คุณจะได้ รองรับทุกระบบ IOS และ Android เกม เกมสล็อต l ออนไลน์จากค่ายเกมดังในรูปแบบของเกม ที่เป็นตัวแทนของ ค่ายเกม pg เพราะเป็นผู้ให้บริการเกมสล็อตอันดับ 1 ของไทยที่มีเกมสล็อตหลากหลายที่มีมากกว่า 100 เกม มีเกมให้เลือกเล่นให้ผู้เล่นได้เลือกเล่น lavagame

  • qhlseo commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    A lady’s fragrance reveals more about it. xoso66

  • Bet888fyi commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    Bet88 com ⭐️ đã khẳng định vị thế của mình như một nhà cái uy tín Bet88 trên nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến hàng đầu có hàng triệu người chơi ở khu vực Đông Nam Á ⭐️

  • afrozeh seo commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    Are you Looking for the best quality Lawn dresses online in Pakistan? Choose from a variety of colors and styles that cater to every taste and occasion. Order your favorite lawn dress from Afrozeh. Shop now!

  • qhlseo commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    Trends in fashion come and go home. F8BET

  • https://gemwin.guru/ commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    https://gemwin.guru/ là cổng game giải trí hàng đầu, mang đến trải nghiệm đa dạng và dịch vụ đẳng cấp cho người chơi.

  • Harry commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    Due to this it is advisable that you have to relevant analysis previous to building. You may upload more practical upload by doing this. situs slot terbaik

  • sarim commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    This is extremely fascinating substance! I have completely delighted in perusing your focuses and have reached the conclusion that you are right about a hefty portion of them. You are extraordinary. new crypto casinos

  • sarim commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    Intriguing post. I Have Been pondering about this issue, so much obliged for posting. Really cool post.It “s truly extremely pleasant and Useful post.Thanks new crypto casinos

  • Michal Novotny commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    Cryptocurrency losses are excruciatingly unpleasant. Fortunately, I came across deftrecoup. c o m, and they were able to recover the wallet and grant me access to my account once more. In my situation, I sent to the wrong address, and it was one of the worst things that had ever happened to me.

  • TRANG CHỦ F8BET commented on October 31, 2024 Reply

    TRANG CHỦ F8BET I really impressed after read this because of some quality work and informative thoughts . I just wanna say thanks for the writer and wish you all the best for coming!.

  • game nổ hũ uy tín commented on November 1, 2024 Reply

    Your writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex concepts easy to understand. game nổ hũ uy tín

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *