Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Daytripping: MassMOCA



The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art -- MassMOCA -- is in the old mill town of North Adams, Massachusetts, two hours north of Hartford.  It occupies several abandoned factory buildings that have been renovated as galleries for large-scale modern art.  MassMOCA is outstanding!


This is Democracy,  a 2012 installation by Gisele Amantea, a wall flocking that recreates on a large scale a work by the American architect Louis Sullivan.  Democracy is in a recent MassMOCA exhibition devoted to Canadian art.

To the side is Optic Nerve, a 2010 mixed media work -- a van riddled with holes and lighted from within -- by Kim Adams, also in the Canadian exhibition.

Finally, here is a small part of Compound, a 2011 installation by Sopheap Pich in the exhibition "Invisible Cities."  In addition to showing you part of this work, this photo shows how the rough brick walls and polished wooden floors of the old factory buildings add richness to the atmosphere of MassMOCA's galleries.

The art won't be everyone's favorites, but the place is just amazing.
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27 comments:

  1. LowellMarch 6, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    The place looks huge, and I'll bet was a lot of fun. But they got the name backward. I'll bet they were embarrassed!

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  2. PerthDailyPhotoMarch 6, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    Fabulous gallery Jack, pulling all three of these images in for a closer look is very much worth the time. A very exciting space.

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  3. MichelleMarch 6, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    Love the black/white design.

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  4. Cezar and LéiaMarch 6, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    I love "Democracy", it's an amazing art installation!
    Cool place for a museum, I love your article, thanks for sharing!
    Léia

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  5. SRQMarch 6, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Contemporary art just isn't my thing. But, I love how the old factories were put to good use. Great shot at the end showing the old walls and floors -- very cool. Btw, I'm not an especially patient person. I just become very patient when I'm enjoying the outdoors waiting for a wild animal to do something.

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  6. brattcatMarch 6, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    and the journey to get there is also a challenging work of art.

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  7. KateMarch 6, 2013 at 8:05 AM

    Great place that I'd love to visit. Haven't thought of Sullivan for a long time; enjoyed his work when I lived in Chicago. Some terrific buildings of his there.

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  8. HalcyonMarch 6, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    Wow! This looks like a great place. We are thinking of a trip to Boston at the end of the month. Maybe we can make a stop here. :)

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  9. SharonMarch 6, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    I think I'd love this place. It makes me think of the Tate Modern in London; a huge space with art that makes you think. I agree, contemporary art is not always to my liking but many times I'll find pieces that are very inspiring and though provoking.

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  10. Sylvia KMarch 6, 2013 at 10:41 AM

    This place does indeed look amazing! I would love to visit there!! I love the Democracy by Amantea!! Great captures for the day, Jack, as always!

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  11. gardenbugMarch 6, 2013 at 10:48 AM

    I think I passed by this mill town years ago..between Boston and Durham NH. Perhaps my geography is off. But I do enjoy this post and am open to almost any kind of art! I love seeing buildings "repurposed."

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  12. RedPatMarch 6, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    I love old factory buildings so it is wonderful to see them reused and still retain some of their original flavour. The art I think I would have to see in real life.

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  13. VPMarch 6, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    Love the place, can't see the art...

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  14. Ramakant PradhanMarch 6, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    The artwork Democracy looks amazing.

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  15. JanetMarch 6, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    I like old buildings like this put to good uses like this.

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  16. VirginiaMarch 6, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    Well I"m feeling a bit cutting edge today and I'll say I liked it all, but the bottom one is my fav.
    V

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  17. UnknownMarch 6, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    Really nice photos, Jack. I am embarrassed to admit that I have never been to MOCA.

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  18. jennyfrecklesMarch 6, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    Seventh heaven for me, I think. Bliss to wander round a place like that.

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  19. DianneMarch 6, 2013 at 5:01 PM

    "Optic nerve" gets my vote Jack ....What a wonderful gallery with those long corridors. Well worth the travel.

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  20. Leslie D.March 6, 2013 at 6:20 PM

    Very neat. Love the hole-y car and the Compound installation and the building itself seems to be a work of art.

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  21. EdMarch 6, 2013 at 8:31 PM

    What a great museum! I'll have to make the trip up there to see it. I really like the fact that they've used some of the old mills for their gallery.

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  22. RandyMarch 6, 2013 at 10:41 PM

    What a wonderful old building. Wonderful exhibits.

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  23. cieldequimperMarch 7, 2013 at 2:20 AM

    I'm a bit like VP, I'm not sure it's really art in the art sense but I think I'd enjoy it nevertheless because it can be fun...

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  24. UnknownMarch 7, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    Apart from the concept of art, which I think is SO subjective, I love it when old useless buildings are transformed in to places where you definitely enjoy spending some time.

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  25. EG CameraGirlMarch 7, 2013 at 12:59 PM

    Old mills make fabulous art galleries! This one appears to be exceptional.

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  26. LONDONLULUMarch 10, 2013 at 11:49 PM

    Gorgeous, it almost doesn't matter what the art is when this is the setting. (Though great places here too). I've always wanted to visit MassMOCA - lucky you!

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  27. William KendallMarch 17, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    What an ideal place for a gallery!

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