Modern art invades the MFA

Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is hosting Contemporary Masters: Bold, Seductive, Unexpected. The exhibit, entitled “Jasper Johns to Jeff Koons: Four Decades of Art from the Broad Collections,” is a creative look at culture and expression that is definitely worth experiencing. Eli and Edythe Broad, who generously lend their collections to museums all over the nation, believe that “collecting contemporary art allows one to relate the art to the society we’re living in.” The MFA’s thought-provoking exhibit urges viewers to consider those relationships as they enjoy the works of important contemporary artists.

What exactly is Conceptual Art? How is it different than Pop Art? “Jasper Johns to Jeff Koons” succinctly defines the great movements in contemporary art and provides relevant biographical information about many of the artists. Be sure to splurge and borrow the audio recording for discussions about technique, composition and theme. (“The crashing energy of this painting embodies the pulse of urban street life in New York City in the 1980’s,” one commentator eloquently says of a Basquiat painting.)

Even more valuable are comments spoken by the artists themselves.

Ed Ruscha, whose word art is on display, says, “I always looked at a word like it was a horizontal bunch of abstract shapes, which is really what it is.” Open-ended questions about perception, language, expression and society challenge the viewer to reexamine the purpose of art in today’s society. The audio recording features well chosen background music and music-only tracks offer a momentary escape into guided meditation. Stop in front of Illium (One Morning 10 Years Later) — an abstract painting by Cy Twombly (1964) that represents the Trojan War — and listen to ancient Greek music for a few minutes while you reflect on the symbolism.

While the content of the exhibit engages the viewer’s mind, the layout of the exhibit forces a more personal interaction between the viewer and the art. Under the Table, by Robert Therrien (1994), is a giant sculpture that stands in a room all by itself. Go ahead walk under the towering dining room set. The new perspective produces a surprisingly surreal experience meant to evoke childhood memories and challenge ideas about perception. Rabbit, a stainless steel sculpture by Jeff Koons (1986), is also in the middle of a room so that you see yourself reflected in the sculpture as you approach it.

“Jasper Johns to Jeff Koons” also takes the viewer through a dizzying spectrum of emotions. Proper gallery etiquette demands that you NOT laugh out loud during the hilarious Andy Warhol interview, but when you round the corner and take in the sobering works of German artist Anselm Kiefer, all traces of humor will disappear. Sarcastic word art, like Tips for Artists by John Baldessari (1967-68) could produce a smirk, but don’t look for the deeper meaning in Haircut by Eric Fischl (1985) unless you’re willing to face a disturbing suggestion of erotic menace.

After experiencing the MFA’s Contemporary Masters exhibit, you may agree with the man who I overheard whisper (oh so creatively) to his wife, “I think I could paint like this.” You might even agree with his wife, who replied, “Our two-year-old grandson could do this!” Whether you agree or disagree, you will leave the exhibit with a better understanding of contemporary art and the masters who create it.

“Jasper Johns to Jeff Koons: Four Decades of Art from the Broad Collections” will be at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston until October 20, 2002. On Monday through Friday, after 12:00 noon, Boston University students can see the exhibit for $5 and hear the audio recording for $5 more.