Amy Adler
Doug Aitken
Lita Albuquerque
Peter Alexander
Carlos Almaraz
Edgar Arceneaux
Ron Athey
Judy Baca
John Baldessari
Devendra Banhart
Uta Barth
Vanessa Beecroft
Larry Bell
Billy Al Bengston
Cindy Bernard
Walead Beshty
Jeremy Blake
Jonathan Borofsky
Andrea Bowers
Mark Bradford
Chris Burden
Karen Carson
Vija Celmins
Guy de Cointet
Robbie Conal
Meg Cranston
Vaginal Davis
Devo
Guy Dill
John Divola
Roy Dowell
Sam Durant
Fred Eversley
Morgan Fisher
Judy Fiskin
Simone Forti
Llyn Foulkes
Sam Francis
Charles Gaines
Harry Gamboa Jr.
Charles Garabedian
Frank O. Gehry
Jack Goldstein
Piero Golia
Joe Goode
Robert Graham
Alexandra Grant
Katie Grinnan
Gronk
Mark Grotjahn
Richard Hawkins
Tim Hawkinson
Wayne Healy
Robert Heinecken
George Herms
David Hockney
Patrick Hogan
Evan Holloway
Thomas Houseago
Douglas Huebler
Elliott Hundley
Robert Irwin
Jim Isermann
Richard Jackson
Cameron Jamie
Larry Johnson
William E. Jones
Miranda July
Glenn Kaino
Craig Kauffman
Mike Kelley
Mary Kelly
Martin Kersels
Toba Khedoori
Edward Kienholz and Nancy
Reddin Kienholz
John Knight
Barbara Kruger
Lisa Lapinski
Liz Larner
William Leavitt
Gary Lloyd
Sharon Lockhart
Peter Lodato
Liza Lou
Machine Project
Florian Maier-Aichen
Kerry James Marshall
Daniel Joseph Martinez
Paul McCarthy
John McCracken
Rodney McMillian
Matthew Monahan
Ivan Morley
Ed Moses
Dave Muller
Kori Newkirk
Ruben Ochoa
Catherine Opie
Ruben Ortiz-Torres
Kaz Oshiro
John Outterbridge
Laura Owens
Jorge Pardo
Helen Pashgian
Jennifer Pastor
Raymond Pettibon
Lari Pittman
Monique Prieto
Stephen Prina
Charles Ray
Joe Ray
Roland Reiss
Jason Rhoades
Amanda Ross-Ho
Nancy Rubins
Sterling Ruby
Allen Ruppersberg
Edward Ruscha
Mark Ryden
Betye Saar
Kenny Scharf
Lara Schnitger
Allan Sekula
Jim Shaw
Peter Shelton
Paul Sietsema
Alexis Smith
Frances Stark
Jennifer Steinkamp
Henry Taylor
Diana Thater
Robert Therrien
DeWain Valentine
Jeffrey Vallance
Bill Viola
Marnie Weber
James Welling
Eric Wesley
Charlie White
Pae White
Christopher Williams
Robert Williams
Tom Wudl
Bruce Yonemoto
Andrea Zittel
Jeffrey Deitch
Rebecca Morse
Lisa Gabrielle Mark
Alma Ruiz
Bennett Simpson
A showcase of works by over 140 artists who have helped shape the artistic dialogue in Los Angeles since the founding of MOCA over 30 years ago. This exhibition represents the uniqueness of the L.A. community, and highlight important works from artists who remain vital and influential alongside those emerging from renowned local art schools, visionary artists associated with various street cultures and subcultures, and crossover artists connected to performance, music, and film. On wiev over 250 works, including a number of new projects made especially for this occasion.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), presents a showcase of works by over
140 artists who have helped shape the artistic dialogue in Los Angeles since the founding of MOCA over 30
years ago. The Artist’s Museum will open on September 19, 2010, at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA; and
October 31, 2010, at MOCA Grand Avenue. This exhibition will represent the diversity and uniqueness of the
Los Angeles community, and highlight important works from legendary L.A. artists who remain vital and
influential alongside those emerging from renowned local art schools, visionary artists associated with various
street cultures and subcultures, and crossover artists connected to performance, music, and film. This special
presentation will draw from MOCA’s permanent collection, supplemented by key loans from local collectors
and artists, featuring over 250 works, including a number of new projects made especially for this occasion.
“Los Angeles is an incredibly hospitable city for artists to live and make their work in, and, as a result, this city is
rich with the most innovative, talented, and groundbreaking artists of our time,” said MOCA Associate Curator
Rebecca Morse.
The three decades represented within The Artist’s Museum touch on several generations of artists whose
careers parallel and intersect with MOCA’s own development as a major contemporary art institution. The
exhibition underlines the museum’s important role in shaping and supporting the artistic landscape of Los
Angeles while looking beyond the museum’s own history to embrace artists who have helped transform the
city into an internationally recognized center for artists from all over the world. It is possible to trace lines of
influence and association within the exhibition, as it encompasses a range of relationships—from teachers and
students, to mentors, friends, and collaborators.
“The Artist’s Museum pays tribute to the breadth of immense talent in this city, tracing an evolution possible
only in Los Angeles, where there is such an active intersection of disciplines,” commented MOCA Director
Jeffrey Deitch.
Based on a nickname that has been used to describe MOCA from its inception, The Artist’s Museum also
honors artists’ ongoing involvement with MOCA, which was founded in 1979 on the premise that it should
exist for the benefit of contemporary artists. During the late 1970s, a group of 150 artists came together to
discuss the creation of a new museum dedicated to contemporary art in Los Angeles. As a result, an Artist’s
Advisory Council of 15 members was formed to make recommendations on all of the issues associated with
building a museum. As part of the exhibition, two galleries will feature works by artists on the Advisory Council,
including Lita Albuquerque, Peter Alexander, Karen Carson, Vija Celmins, Guy Dill, Fred Eversley, Sam Francis,
Robert Heinecken, Robert Irwin, Gary Lloyd, Peter Lodato, Joe Ray, Roland Reiss, Alexis Smith, DeWain
Valentine, and Tom Wudl.
MOCA has continued to honor the legacy of that original group by appointing artists to its Board of Trustees,
including current Trustees John Baldessari, Barbara Kruger, Catherine Opie, and Edward Ruscha. The museum
has consistently aimed to be a major resource for local artists, bringing the Los Angeles arts community into
dialogue with nationally and internationally renowned artists—not only through its exceptional collection, but
also through a diverse array of exhibitions and programs.
The Artist’s Museum spans both of MOCA’s downtown Los Angeles buildings. Works at The Geffen
Contemporary at MOCA will comprise primarily sculpture and installation, and MOCA Grand Avenue will
feature painting, photography, and works on paper. Doug Aitken’s Electric Earth, (1999) a hyperkinetic fable of
modern life in the form of an 8-channel video installation, will be on view for the first time ever at MOCA as
part of The Artist’s Museum. Also included in the exhibition will be work by artist Robbie Conal; Thomas
Houseago’s monumental sculpture Sprawling Octopus Man (2009), a new acquisition; Mike Kelley’s large-scale
installation Pay for Your Pleasure (1999); an installation by Amanda Ross-Ho based on Double Tragedy Wall
(2007) from MOCA’s collection; and a performance by Vaginal Davis. Jim Isermann will create a new project
for the Eli and Edythe L. Broad Reception Hall at MOCA Grand Avenue, and artist Pae White will design the
graphic identity for the exhibition. The exhibition is organized for MOCA by Associate Curator Rebecca Morse,
in collaboration with a curatorial team that includes Director Jeffrey Deitch, Director of Publications Lisa
Gabrielle Mark, Curator Alma Ruiz, and Associate Curator Bennett Simpson.
The Artist’s Museum expands on a
collection show originally conceived by Chief Curator Paul Schimmel, that considered the work of Los Angeles
artists in a local context, following Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years, which presented Los Angeles artists in
an international context.
The Artist's Museum is made possible by endowment support from the Sydney Irmas Exhibition Endowment.
The exhibition is generously supported by Mandy and Cliff Einstein.
Major support is provided by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.
Generous additional support is provided by BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP. In-kind media support is provided by Ovation and Los Angeles
magazine.
The Artist’s Museum Happening
SATURDAY, NOV 13
MOCA Grand Avenue
Join us in celebrating MOCA’s longstanding legacy as a gathering place for the city’s preeminent artists,
inspiring the emergence of significant work in contemporary art history. This year’s annual gala will mark the
premiere of an expansive, experiential artwork created especially for the occasion by featured artist Doug
Aitken. All proceeds will benefit the museum’s exhibition and education programming.
MEDIA CONTACTS MOCA
Lyn Winter Tel 213/633-5390 lwinter@moca.org
Jessica Youn Tel 213/633-5322 jyoun@moca.org
Fitz & Co Dan Tanzilli Tel 212/627-1455 x226 dan@fitzandco.com
Members’ Preview Day
SATURDAY, OCT 30, 11am–6pm
MOCA Grand Avenue INFO 213/621-1794
Members’ Opening
SATURDAY, OCT 30, 7–11pm
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA INFO 213/621-1794 or membership1@moca.org
MOCA Grand Avenue
250 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012-3021
MOCA Grand Avenue is open 11am to 5pm on Monday and Friday; 11am to 8pm on Thursday; 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday; and closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
General admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students with I.D. and seniors (65+); and free for MOCA members, children under 12, jurors with I.D., active military, and everyone on Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm, courtesy of Wells Fargo.