Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Decade-Defining Art Installations of the 2010s (2010-2019)

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
To: Michael Wright
From: Ernest Disney-Britton
“Back to Eden: Contemporary Artists Wander the Garden” (June 27 - Sept. 28, 2014) at the Museum of Biblical Art,  formerly at 1865 Broadway, at 61st Street; 212-408-1500, mobia.org.
As we come to the final hours of this decade, I'm responding to your challenge to identify the decade-defining art installations that contributed the most to religious and spiritual dialogue. In contrast to exhibitions, an art installation transforms the space so entirely that you feel like you are inside the work itself. This list is a reflection of the art installations of the 2010s that generated intense media buzz for their immersive effect, plus a nod to our favorite exhibition (with installations), "Back to Eden" at the Museum of Biblical Art which closed in 2015.

 1. Dread Scott's realized his six-year undertaking to recreate a slave rebellion march to New Orleans (November 2019).
2. Ellsworth Kelly’s ‘‘Austin,’’ the artist’s final work and building opened in Texas. (February 2018).
3. Roberto Cuoghi's “Imitazione di Cristo” (“Imitation of Christ”) at the Venice Biennale asks visitors "whose reflection do you see?" (May 2017).
4. Nick Cave's "Until" installation at MASS MoCA opens inspired by the question, "Is there racism in heaven?" (October 2016).
5. Mosque installed at Venice Biennale tests city’s tolerance for Islam (May 2015).
6. Anila Quayyum Agha's "Intersections" won both the critics and public votes at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI  (October 2014).
7. Janet Cardiff's sound installation at The Cloisters in NYC brought visitors to tears (2012-2013).
8. Ai Weiwei's Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads tour launched in Central Park's Grand Army Plaza (May 2011).
9. Photographer Spencer Tunick's "Naked Dead Sea" gets past the censors in Israel (September 2011).
10. Enrique Martínez Celaya's "The Crossing" was an environment of four monumental paintings at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine (October 2010).