Now Dig This! Revisits Black Los Angeles Art at MoMA PS1
MoMA PS1 in New York showcased the exhibition 'Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960–1980' from October 21, 2012, until March 11, 2013. Curated by Kellie Jones and organized by the Hammer Museum as part of the Pacific Standard Time initiative, the exhibition presented 140 pieces from 33 artists. It emphasized the Black art community in Los Angeles, featuring notable figures such as David Hammons, Charles White, and Betye Saar, many of whom were associated with the Watts Towers Art Center. Performances by members of Studio Z were also included. Critics remarked on the installation's inability to capture the vibrancy of the period, with Valérie Mavridorakis voicing her regret that it wasn't located in Manhattan for enhanced visibility.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960–1980' at MoMA PS1 from October 21, 2012, to March 11, 2013.
- Originally organized by the Hammer Museum as part of Pacific Standard Time, led by the Getty Research Institute.
- Curated by Kellie Jones, professor at Columbia University.
- Featured 140 works by 33 artists.
- Included artists: Charles White, Melvin Edwards, John T. Riddle Jr., John Outterbridge, Noah Purifoy, Betye Saar, Senga Nengudi, Maren Hassinger, David Hammons, Houston Conwill.
- Many artists were associated with Watts Towers Art Center in the 1960s.
- Works used debris from the 1965 Watts rebellion.
- Exhibition included performances and installations by Studio Z members.
- Critic Valérie Mavridorakis noted the installation was too restrained and peripheral.
Entities
Artists
- David Hammons
- Kellie Jones
- Charles White
- Melvin Edwards
- John T. Riddle Jr.
- John Outterbridge
- Noah Purifoy
- Betye Saar
- Senga Nengudi
- Maren Hassinger
- Houston Conwill
- Valérie Mavridorakis
- Ed Kienholz
- Lyn Kienholz
Institutions
- MoMA PS1
- Hammer Museum
- Getty Research Institute
- Columbia University
- Watts Towers Art Center
- Studio Z
Locations
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Long Island City
- Manhattan
- California
- Berlin
- United States
Sources
- artpress —