Jasper Johns: Mind/Mirror at Whitney and Philadelphia Museums

The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Philadelphia Museum of Art have jointly organized 'Jasper Johns: Mind/Mirror', the largest-ever exhibition dedicated to the artist. Running from September 29, 2021 to February 13, 2022 at the Whitney, the show is split across both venues, each presenting complementary and self-sufficient sections. Curated by Carlos Basualdo and Scott Rothkopf, the exhibition uses a 'structural device' of mirroring derived from Johns's work. It begins with a wall of prints, then explores themes of disappearance and negation after his move to New York in 1953 and his partnership with Robert Rauschenberg. Iconic subjects like targets, flags, and US maps signal Johns's radical shift from Abstract Expressionism toward everyday objects. A biographical section covers his South Carolina roots and studio practice, documented by Ugo Mulas. The show highlights 'According to What' (1964), a reconstruction of his 1968 Leo Castelli exhibition, and the 'Savarin' monotype series (1982). Central to the exhibition is the concept of doubling, exemplified by 'Painted Bronze' (1960). Later galleries address dreams, numerical subjects, and mortality in 'Elegies in the dark'. The final section notes a decline in tension compared to Johns's decisive earlier period.