A Very Theatrical Spring at the ICA
Peter at the ICA Photo uploaded by Go Card USA
My latest field trip proved that spring is a wonderful time of year to visit the Institute of Contemporary Art on the waterfront in Boston. From the magnificent views from the wide windows, to the sun that filters in just perfectly into the galleries, you’ll love the museum’s relationship with its environment.
In anticipation of my visit, I read up on and was very excited about The World as a Stage, the newest undertaking at the museum. In association with the Tate Modern in London, the exhibit features works by 16 international artists, and blurs “the lines between theater, performance, visual art, and everyday life.” The exhibit was a perfect one for myself and my two visiting friends– all certified theater nuts.
The west gallery on the 4th floor features Renata Lucas’ Falha, involving the construction of a stage and playing space, Jeppe Hein’s Rotating Labyrinth, and Rita McBride’s Arena. These works invite the guest into the space to both make it their own and interact with the work, thus forming a concrete relationship between audience and artist. We were also mesmerized by the creepily accurate businessman sculpture named Bob by Markus Schinwald, Geoffrey Farmer’s Hunchback Kit, and we had a ball playing in the shadows of Dominique Gonzales-Foester’s Seance du Shadow II.
On another note, we also discovered a new artist to admire! As part of the ICA’s Momtentum series, Indian artist Ranjani Shettar’s Sun-Sneezers Blow Light Bubbles was one of our favorite works we saw all day. Based on the photic sneeze reflex that causes uncontrollable sneezing when one is exposed to the sun, it’s a whimsical and inspirational take on the ailment. The piece was created especially for a particular space in the museum, where you can walk around, under, and through it to experience its magic. Using non-art materials like muslin cloth and tamarind kernel powder paste, the sculpture takes on a incredibly unique texture that requires up-close inspection to appreciate her handiwork.
At the end of our visit, we meandered around the beautiful gift shop, full of unique and colorful gifts. Be sure to check it out if you’re in the market for a quirky souvenir. There’s also David Muller’s art wall entitled As Below, So Above, that graces the gigantic lobby wall. It’s an exploration of the evolution of rock and roll, complete with a special FM radio station created from his personal music collection that’s definitely worth a close examination.
As you can probably tell from this gushing entry, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the ICA. I’ve uploaded even more of my ICA photos to our Flickr, if you’re interested in seeing those as well.
If you’re in the mood for a visit to the ICA, remember that it’s included on the Go Boston Card and it’s also free on Thursday nights!
Planning a trip to Boston? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Boston Card.
Jamie,
I had the chance to see a theater lecture in their new performance space and it is VERY cool. When they have the black panels up, you can see the water just a few feet from the windows. Next time you go to the ICA, try to time it so you can see a movie or performance in there, too. Thanks for such a detailed post!
Susan