Field Trip: MODA at MOCA

Last night, I went on another fantastic Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) "Field Trip"—part of the Museum's brilliant programming. This particular excursion took us to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA).

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Eileen Braun

I left the Museum having several favorite works, but the one that first caught my attention was "#2 Untitled" (Back Splash Bowls)" by Eileen Braun. At first I thought they were metal (Have you ever seen what happens to metal in outer space during a high impact collision?), but it turns out that they're ceramic and porcelain.

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, William Mize

This playful piece, "The Climb" by William Mize, is clever and beautifully executed. 

This exhibition is exactly what MOCA GA is all about...featuring Georgia artists! When the call for entries went out, it was met with more than 3,000 submissions from 447 artists from throughout the State. Selected by a panel of three Georgia artists, alumni of MOCA GA's "Working Artist Project", 60 Georgia artists are represented in the exhibition.

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Bojana Ginn

There are a number of pieces, like "Synaptic Kiss 1" by Bojana Ginn, that capture and entice the imagination. Seemingly simple, this work totally fascinates me.

Our self-guided tour was preceeded by a welcome and introductory remarks by Annette Cone-Skelton, Co-Founder and President/CEO/Director of the Museum—yes, Annette wears numerous hats at MOCA GA! An artist herself, her passion and enthusiasm for MOCA GA is evidenced in her speaking about the Museum...and I for one and impressed and grateful for their providing exposure opportunities for Georgia artists.

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA

You've heard me talk very excitedly about MODA Field Trips...they've consistently been great fun. This one was no exception...I had a great time. But the time went so quickly!

I was last at MOCA GA in January of this year to see Ayokunle Odeleye, a local pubic art artists, which also was a brilliant exhibition. This exhibition is remarkable, too. I can't imagine, based on the quality of work of the selected pieces, how they managed to select so few from so many. There's a lot of talent in our State!

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Malaika Favorite

Around every corner in the front three galleries, of the rather expansive Museum, are delightfully wonderful surprises like "Shirt and Vest" by Malaika Favorite. 

MOCA GA, founded in 2002, moved to its current location in the TULA Art Center on Bennett Street in January of 2007. The Museum includes numerous galleries, a library, archives, and an Education/Resource Center.

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Stewart Ziff

I was impressed by the range of medium represented in the exhibition. For example, this piece, "Radiance" by Stewart Ziff, is made of baked enamel on steel letters, cotton thread, an umbrella, and a flood light!

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA

Armed with my camera, a glass of wine, and the knowledge imparted by Annette, I and my fellow MODA members explored MOCA GA until 7:00 p.m...they stayed open late, just for us!

Annette spoke of museum partnerships, including the one with MODA, and of another partnership for an upcoming exhibition. In February of 2014, in conjunction with the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, MODA, MOCA GA, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will partner to present "Score (sports + art)", an exhibition curated by Hope Cohn. From what we're told, it promises to be a brilliant exhibition!

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Jon Field

You know, sometimes it's the most simple piece that is the most fascinating. I'd walked by this piece, "The Slipper Tongue" by Jon Field, several times before examining it closely. Finally, the "shiny" aspect of the piece grabbed my attention and would not let go until I'd fully explored what it was that so unforgivably demanded my attention—freely given, of course.

Having done some Picasso-inspired pointillism myself, when much, much younger, the medium of this piece I found remarkable—black velvet and steel pins...that's all! It's beautiful.

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Taehoon Kim

"How to Make a Baby Flower Blossom" by Taehoon Kim was a favorite piece of Clare's (MODA Patron Services), which she told me with a huge smile across her face. The piece is indeed pure delight...have a look—you can't help but smile!

Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists, MOCA GA, Michael Scoffield

Another of my personal favorites is the triptych "Fire and Ice" by Michael Scoffield. It's a piece that I would gladly add to my personal art collection.

This sharing is only the tip of the iceberg of the exhibition, so I'll leave you with strong encouragement to go check it out. MOCA GA is easy to find, has plenty of free parking, and employs very friendly staff...I think you'll have a great time!

And be sure to check out MODA's programming on their website and Social Media channels...there's ALWAYS something going on at MODA, including some upcoming events that I can hardly wait for. See you around the Museum!

Ayokunle Odeleye at MOCA GA

Serendipity is such a dear and cherished friend! 

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) had been on my radar for quite some time, but I just got around to it this past weekend. And what a great experience! So great, that I went twice in the same day!

Ayokunle Odeleye at the Museum of Contemporary Art

I had the great fortune of just catching the exhibition, "Ayokunle Odeleye: Thirty-two Years of Public Art"—it was the last day of the exhibition—AND it just so happened (here's the serendipitous part) that there was later that day a panel discussion with Ayo and three other public artists and the Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs' Public Art Program Manager...there was no way I was going to miss that discussion!

I arrived at the Museum, on the well-known antique shop-laden Bennett Street in Buckhead, and was welcomed with enthusiasm and was provided ample detail about the Museum and its current exhibition. I learned about the upcoming exhibition on the way out (more on that in a moment).

The 1898 Memorial (Wilmington, NC)
Ayokunle Odeleye, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

The 1898 Memorial (Wilmington, NC)
Ayokunle Odeleye, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

Ayokunle Odeleye, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

How much you enjoy a new museum, attraction, city, restaurant, job, or an in-law, greatly depends on that first impression...and the young lady at the museum that day (unfortunately, I didn't catch her name) totally made my experience of MOCA such that I've adopted it as part of my museum repertoire henceforth.

Going in, I immediately recognized Ayokunle's work. And I was loving how the exhibition was laid out. It was the first time I'd seen a retrospective of this sort...I was totally engaged.

There also is a catalog of the exhibition. Ayo later told us that he'd never himself seen his work laid out in such a way—being viewed as a collection of lifetime works. And that's exactly what it was. 

Ayo is a public artist...one on the monumental scale. So, the exhibition couldn't possibly hold a collection of his "original" works—those are all over the country, many right here in Georgia, and as far away as Alaska!

Chi Wara Sundial Lantern (Atlanta, GA)
Ayokunle Odeleye
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

What the exhibition included were drawings, photographs, and miniature (relatively speaking) models of the larger, real-life pieces. And obviously an Ayo touch, much of the photography (at least one in a set of photos) of the finished piece, included Ayo himself with his creation.

Ancestral Totem (Atlanta, GA)
Ayokunle Odeleye
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

After touring the quite museum, I departed for a previously self-committed tour of  another museum, all the while devising a plan to return for the two o'clock panel discussion. 

I made it back in plenty of time (a future post will explain that excursion—pure, lighthearted fun) and even had time to stop for a quick bite after Imy return to Buckhead.

In contrast to my quiet visit earlier, there was standing room only for the panel discussion!

The moderator was introduced by MOCA GA's President/CEO/Director Annette Cone-Skelton. The moderator was Lisa Tuttle, a charming artist herself. The panelists included Maria Artemis, Curtis Patterson, Matt Haffner, Ayokunle Odeleye, and Eddie Granderson…and they were all brilliant.

Also, each of them looked and felt quite familiar. I would have sworn that I'd before met each of the artists on the panel, and maybe I have over the years.

I highly recommend exploring Atlanta's public art...there are some pretty amazing pieces out there. Actually, that sounds like a really fun full-day excursion. Hmmmm...

And when you do, ask yourself—at least of your local public art—"How does this represent my community? How does it make me feel about where I live?"

The Three Guardians (Brentwood, MD)
Ayokunle Odeleye
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

The Three Guardians (Brentwood, MD)
Ayokunle Odeleye
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia

So, on Saturday, January 26, the next MOCA GA exhibition will be unveiled...."Ruth Laxson: Hip Young Owl." This exhibition is the first museum retrospective of Atlanta's Ruth Laxson and will feature more than 125 works. Sounds rather exciting.

I can hardly wait to return to The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia...I'm thinking this is a new museum on my short list of Atlanta favorites. We'll soon find out.

Pop over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page where you'll find more photos of my exploration of Ayo's brilliant public art and MOCA GA. And then go experience Atlanta!

The Aurora Court Panels (Aurora, CO)
Ayokunle Odeleye, Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia