| Portland Art Museum Opens Exhibition with Works that Leave Many 'Disquieted' |
 Doug Aitken, 'Free', 2009. LED lit lightbox, 48 x 157 x 7 7/8 inches. Regen Projects, Edition of 4. ©Courtesy: 303 Gallery, New York; Victoria Miro Gallry, London; Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich; Regen Projects, Los Angeles. |
| PORTLAND, OR.- This spring the Portland Art Museum presents 'DISQUIETED'. Curated by Bruce Guenther, the Museum’s curator of modern and contemporary art, the exhibition brings together 38 works that invite engagement and discussion of the elements of modern life that leave so many feeling disquieted. For many, today’s world is marked by events beyond our control. This unease is a natural response to a tumultuous and troubling decade filled with natural disasters, global terrorism, and worldwide financial collapse. Artists have always reflected and reacted to the world around them—and contemporary art, through its form or content, often disturbs as much as it provides solace. In 'DISQUIETED', a roster of 28 renowned artists from four continents explore our social conditions and respond to the most compelling issues of the day, challenging our preconceptions and exposing our vulnerability in turbulent times. “These are some of the most important artists working today,” said Brian Ferriso, The Marilyn H. and Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. Director. “The objects presented are significant and, like all great art, provide a feast for the eyes as well as food for thought.” The works—including paintings, photography, sculptures, and time-based film and video installations—evoke an instant reaction. Whether unsettling or benign, all require a second look. The issues presented are both intimate and global, prompting viewers to consider their own humanity and their place in the world. “The experience is post-retinal—you take it with you and it becomes a part of your next conversation,” said Guenther. “These works provoke feelings that may be lying beneath the surface or below a person’s façade of contentment. The emotional reaction sneaks up on you, perhaps even moving you from laughter to tears.” The artists presented in the exhibition are among today’s foremost figures in contemporary art; most have never been exhibited in Portland. Artists featured in the exhibition include: Doug Aitken, Chiho Aoshima, John Baldessari, Tanya Batura, Sanford Biggers, Gregory Crewdson, Carroll Dunham, Tracey Emin, Ellen Gallagher, Andreas Gursky, Barbara Kruger, Glenn Ligon, Robert Longo, Paul McCarthy, Ron Mueck, Takashi Murakami, Wangechi Mutu, Shirin Neshat, Lari Pittman, Jaume Plensa, Charles Ray, Daniel Richter, John Sonsini, Adam Stennett, Jan Tichy, Bill Viola, Sue Williams, Su-en Wong. 'DISQUIETED' iPhone/iPod App The exhibition is accompanied by an iPhone/iPod Application (App) which will be available through iTunes. The Museum will also rent iPod Touches with the tour app installed for visitors. The application features videos of artists from the exhibition discussing their work, practice, and concerns. The Museum’s education department also produced video conversations with the exhibition’s curator and local educators. Matching the design of the exhibition, the tour app allows visitors to learn more about individual objects and artists in any order. The app includes content on the following artists: 1. Charles Ray – Artist Feature Video 2. Su-en Wong – Conversation About Art Video 3. John Baldessari - Artist Feature Video 4. Sue Williams - Conversation About Art Video 5. Tracey Emin - Conversation About Art Video 6. Gregory Crewdson – Artist Feature Video 7. Paul McCarthy – Conversation About Art Video 8. Wangechi Mutu – Conversation About Art Video 9. Glenn Ligon – Conversation About Art Video 10. Ellen Gallagher – Artist Feature Video 11. Lari Pittman – Artist Feature Video 12. Carroll Dunham – Conversation About Art Video 13. John Sonsini – Conversation About Art Video 14. Ron Mueck –Conversation About Art Video 15. Andreas Gursky – Conversation About Art Video |
