The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago presents an exhibition that delves into the enduring power of painting, questioning its relevance in the digital age and exploring its intersection with technology.
The article discusses the current exhibition “The Living End: Painting and Other Technologies, 1970-2020” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. The exhibition features works by various artists who are pushing the boundaries of painting in response to technological advancements.
The article highlights several artists whose work is on display, including:
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Sayre Gomez – whose painting “Behind Door #8” (2018) creates a perfect illusion of reality through a seamless virtuosity.
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Jacqueline Humphries – whose massive 114 x 127-inch oil on linen work “MN+//sss” (2023) is created by pushing paint through stencils of ASCII symbols, creating moiré patterns and shadows.
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Elaine Frances Sturtevant – whose painting “Stella Bethlehem’s Hospital” (1989-90) is a meticulous reproduction of Frank Stella’s 1959 work, filtering it through a mysteriously ironized photorealism.
The article also discusses the role of photography, digitization, and performance in relation to painting. It asks whether turning painting into other media forms continues the tradition of painting or rejects it.
The exhibition raises questions about the relevance of painting in the digital age. Is painting that turns itself into not-painting still painting? Is anti-tradition an extension of the tradition or a negation of it?
Ultimately, the article suggests that the promise of painting lies in its ability to evoke a sense of escape and immersion, as seen in Gomez’s work. The exhibition invites viewers to experience the thrill of painting, even if it’s becoming less relevant.
The key themes and ideas explored in the article include:
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The tension between tradition and innovation in painting
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The role of technology in shaping the medium
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The relevance of painting in the digital age
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The relationship between painting and other media forms
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The power of painting to evoke a sense of escape and immersion
Overall, the article offers a thought-provoking exploration of the state of painting today, highlighting both its enduring appeal and its evolving nature.
