Museums and Cultural Identity

Public Notice 3 is currently exhibiting at The Art Institute of Chicago. This provocative installation is on display until January 2, 2011. Featuring the work of contemporary artist Jitish Kallat this installation addresses religion and cultural identity, but also significant historical situations between America and India.

This installation brings to mind one of my favorite contemporary artists Daniel Joseph Martinez whose museum tags, “I Can’t Imagine Ever Wanting to be White” was part of the 1993 Whitney Biennial. As equally provocative as Kallat, this work speaks about race and cultural identity in relation to the museum world.

What are some themes in Contemporary Art that these two artists are addressing? Can comparisons be made between the two works, and subsequently the artists? Has or does, the museum play a role in establishing cultural identity?

The World Stage: India-Sri Lanka

Seven Days in the Contemporary Art World will highlight events that are taking place in and around the Chicago area and the contemporary art world at large!

The World Stage: India Sri-Lanka is currently showing at Rhona Hoffman Gallery in the West Loop.
 
Kehinde Wiley is know for creating large scale paintings that are often compared to traditonal art historical portraits and subject matters.  However as a contemporary artist Wiley's paintings blur the boundaries between traditional and contemporary modes of representation.
 
I was introduced to Wiley's work through the exhibit Recognize!: Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture -Recognize! I was amazed at how he took popular icons from the hip hop world and placed them into such royal  settings while maintaining art historical modes of expression!
 
The World Stage provides that same fusion! This is an amazing exhibition with contemporary portriats of Indian men. And though Wiley has captured their presence through his portraits the backgrounds are just as amazing because they highlight Indian traditions while also addressing today's postcolonial issues.
 

The World Stage: India-Sri Lanka 

Rhona Hoffman Gallery from 9/10/2010-10/23/2010

Rhona Hoffman Gallery
118 North Peoria Street|Chicago, Illinois 60607|
Gallery Hours| Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5:30pm