The Hunter Museum of American Art will present two exhibitions in February exploring technological breakthroughs in art over two centuries and how those advances have altered the way society depicts and interprets the world.
“Under the Mexican Sky: A Revolution in Modern Photography” will examine artistic innovations in photography that blossomed in Mexico just after the end of the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century. “New Media, New Millennium: Digital Art” will consider the growing importance of electronic media in art.
On view Friday, Feb. 2-April 22, “Under the Mexican Sky” will consist of rare early 20th century photographs by acclaimed international photographers that explore the role Mexico and Mexico City played in the development of international modernism, an art movement characterized by experimentation in materials, techniques and subject matter.
Featured photographers will include Los Angelino Edward Weston, Hollywood silent film star-turned-photographer Tina Modotti, New Yorker Paul Strand, Frenchman Henri Cartier-Bresson and Mexico’s Manuel Álvarez Bravo.
In a world driven by digital content, “New Media, New Millennium” will consider artists who have put aside the traditional tools of art making for new ones – coding algorithms, screens and LEDs instead of paint, canvas and brushes.
The root of much digital work goes back to photography and its reliability in our age. The 13 artists in the exhibition – including Jim Campbell, Leo Villareal and Jennifer Steinkamp - explore our ever-changing relationship with the digital world through a variety of approaches.
“New Media, New Millennium” will be on view from Friday, Feb. 9-Sunday, April 29.
General admission is $15 for adults and free for youth 17 and under. Members are admitted free. Information: www.huntermuseum.org.
Source: Hunter Museum