Pope.L Review: Minimalist Squares and Racial Provocation at Modern Art London
Modern Art in London, situated near Piccadilly, is showcasing an exhibition dedicated to the late American artist Pope.L, renowned for his intense 'crawl' performances in New York and his signature white bunny ears and underpants. The display consists of seven squares affixed to the wall, each embodying the essence of American minimalism—simple, stark variations on a singular theme. Central to each square is the phrase 'negro idea' accompanied by seemingly arbitrary numbers like 51, 37, or 666. The exhibition explores what Pope.L, often labeled as a trickster in contemporary American art, aims to convey. Interpretations may include critiques of minimalism's political exclusion, commentary on the constructed nature of racial categories, or a challenge to the foundations of Western modernism. The exhibition runs at Modern Art, London.
Key facts
- Pope.L was a late American artist known for gruelling 'crawl' performances across New York.
- The exhibition is at Modern Art, London, just off Piccadilly.
- Seven squares are pinned to the wall, each painted in the style of American minimalism.
- Each square features the phrase 'negro idea' followed by a random number such as 51, 37, or 666.
- The review suggests the works may critique minimalism's exclusion of politics.
- The review suggests the works may comment on racial categories as constructed and subject to fashion.
- The review suggests the works may riff on western modernism being built on stolen ideas.
- Pope.L was known for wearing white bunny ears and underpants and for taking on liberal presumptions and the commercialism of Black culture.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Modern Art
- The Guardian
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Piccadilly