Gallery Report // MOCA on Grand
A couple of weeks ago, I joined some of the photo classes to see the photo show happening at MOCA. This show featured the works of Brassai, Arbus, and Goldin. Overall, I thought that the exhibition was really interesting. It was cool to see so many photos in person that we’ve seen throughout our schooling and have talked about in class. I was mostly drawn to the works of Nan Goldin. This was very surprising to me because I remember being introduced to her work a few years back and being very turned off by the sexual and intimate nature of her work. Until now, I haven’t really been interested in digging deep into her work.
I was mostly drawn to the top photo titled Empty Beds, Boston 1979. I actually almost cried when I saw this work. Visually it’s so beautiful and there is something so deep about it. To me, this photo feels like a portrait. A portrait of the people or person who have slept in it. There are many symbols for a bed as it is a very personal object - whether it be a place of rest or unrest for a person or a place of sexual intimacy. An unmade bed communicates some sort of messy vulnerability. Personally, I feel that this photo is strong because there is a raw and honest element to it.
Visually, I was also really drawn to the colorful triptych (bottom picture). The colors are so interesting and moody.
There was also an interesting element to Nan Goldin’s part of the show. Behind this black curtain there was a seating area with a slideshow of pictures playing. Music was playing and it was so interesting to see how the music effected the emotion and mood of the photos.