Hammer Museum summer exhibitions reviewed

Currently on view at The Hammer Museum in Westwood are four summer modern art exhibitions. My review will focus on two of those.

“Refashioning: CFGNY & Wataru Tominaga” on view from June 9 – August 4, 2024, presents two project spaces from transdisciplinary artists and fashion designers Concept Foreign Garments New York and Wataru Tominaga. Featuring garments, accessories and textile works, the exhibition examines how the two artists — one based in New York, the other in Tokyo — challenge preconceived notions of gender and identity, as well as what they describe as “vaguely Asian” aesthetics. These site-specific interventions consist of pre-existing and new work that explores how fashion can be approached as a medium with a unique capacity to reveal sociopolitical histories that are quite literally waged on the body.

“David Medalla: In Conversation with the Cosmos” on view from June 9 – September 15, 2024, is the first comprehensive survey in the United States dedicated to the late Filipino artist David Medalla (1938–2020). The exhibition contextualizes the elusive and experimental practice of an artist whose pioneering work spanned kinetic, performance, and participatory art movements. Medalla’s life and work cultivated intimate forms of exchange between collaborators, friends, and lovers in the service of “cosmic propulsions,” “Impromptus,” and other otherworldly propositions. Beginning with paintings and drawings from the late 1950s and concluding with the works he produced before his death, In Conversation with the Cosmos presents the accumulations of a creative life imbued with an anti-institutional ethos and a commitment to impermanence and change.

Also on view: Houseguest: Mute Flesh (curated by artist EJ Hill), and Hammer Projects: Jordan Strafer.  More information can be found at the Hammer Museum’s site.

Located in the Westwood Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, the Hammer Museum presents exhibitions of contemporary and historical work in all media of the visual arts, plus a full roster of free public programs including film screenings, performances, lectures, readings, and panel discussions on current social issues. Admission to the museum is free.

Originally presented at the Japan Society, New York, in 2022–23, Refashioning is the Hammer’s first fashion-forward exhibition, featuring transdisciplinary artists and fashion designers Concept Foreign Garments New York (CFGNY) and Wataru Tominaga. 

Refashioning and David Medalla are two incredibly distinct exhibitions, yet both navigate around slippery notions of identity and queerness. I am excited to share the provocative fashions of CFGNY and Wataru Tominaga with Los Angeles, as their work blurs the line between garments and artmaking. I am equally thrilled to present this important retrospective of David Medalla, which is the result of many years of research and study by the Hammer’s interim chief curator, Aram Moshayedi.

Hammer Museum director Ann Philbin.

Refashioning: CFGNY & Wataru Tominaga presents a compelling narrative at the intersection of fashion, identity, and cultural expression. As a visitor, I found myself immersed in a dynamic showcase that challenges traditional notions of clothing as mere attire—rather, the show elevates clothing to a form of art that can include social commentary.

Upon entering the exhibition space, the first striking element is the juxtaposition of the avant-garde designs by CFGNY and Wataru Tominaga. Each designer brings a unique perspective to the fore, yet their works harmonize in exploring themes of gender, tradition, and innovation.

CFGNY’s pieces immediately captivate with their bold colors, unconventional shapes, and their deliberate play with proportion and texture. The garments seem to defy conventional norms of fashion, blurring lines between masculinity and femininity, and challenging the viewer to reconsider preconceived notions of style. One particularly memorable piece was a voluminous coat constructed from unexpected materials, evoking a sense of whimsy and deliberate rebellion against sartorial norms.

In contrast, Wataru Tominaga’s creations offer a deeper exploration into cultural identity and heritage. Drawing inspiration from his Japanese roots, Tominaga’s designs incorporate traditional motifs with a modern twist. What impresses the most is the meticulous craftsmanship, with its intricate detailing and exquisite embroidery that speak to a reverence for artistry while at the same time pushing the boundaries of expectations of contemporary fashion.

Also impressive was the exhibition’s thoughtful curation, which not only showcases the individual creativity of each designer but also invites reflection on broader societal issues. Through their work, CFGNY and Tominaga challenge us to rethink how we perceive fashion as a medium of self-expression and cultural dialogue. The exhibition encourages a dialogue on diversity, inclusivity, and the evolving nature of identity in today’s globalized world.

The Hammer Museum itself provides an ideal setting for such a thought-provoking exhibition. Its spacious galleries and minimalist design allow the garments to speak for themselves, while the accompanying texts and multimedia presentations provide valuable context without overwhelming the visual experience.

Overall, Refashioning: CFGNY & Wataru Tominaga is on view at the Hammer Museum through August 4, 2024 and proves essential viewing for anyone interested in the intersection of art, fashion, and cultural identity. The eclectic show challenges visitors to expand their understanding of fashion beyond the superficial, in order to appreciate it as a powerful form of artistic expression and social commentary.

Refashioning: CFGNY and Wataru Tominaga was organized by Japan Society, New York and curated by Tiffany Lambert, curator. The presentation at the Hammer is organized by Erin Christovale, curator, with Nika Chilewich, former curatorial assistant, and Ikechúkwú Onyewuenyi, curatorial associate. Generous support for Refashioning: CFGNY and Wataru Tominaga is provided by The Japan Foundation and Sonya Yu. Additional support provided by Thomas Lavin.

From the press release.

The Hammer Museum’s exhibition David Medalla: In Conversation with the Cosmos offers a captivating journey into the artistic universe of a pioneering figure in kinetic and participatory art. Beautifully curated by Aram Moshayedi, this exhibition provides a profound exploration of David Medalla’s multifaceted career of innovative artistry and philosophical inquiry. For more than six decades, Medalla presented artworks, installations, and performances in a variety of venues across the globe, from small artist-run spaces to major museums.

Born in Manila, Philippines, David Medalla is an artist primarily known for his “biokinetic” sculptures produced in London in the 1960s. 

As I stepped into the gallery space, I was immediately struck by the ethereal ambiance created by Medalla’s kinetic sculptures and his installations that invite curiosity and engagement. The exhibition opens with a selection of his early creations, showcasing his fascination with movement, spontaneity, and the ephemeral. One of the standout pieces is “Cloud Canyon No. 14,” an iconic installation where soap bubbles gently cascade down a wire sculpture, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light, air, and form. This whimsical piece not only captivates the senses but also underscores Medalla’s exploration of natural phenomena and their poetic potential.

Moving deeper into the exhibition, I encountered Medalla’s collaborative and performance-based works, which highlight his role as a catalyst for artistic exchange and cultural dialogue. His involvement with the Fluxus movement is evident in pieces like “A Stitch in Time,” where visitors are invited to contribute to a communal embroidery, symbolizing the interconnectedness of creativity across time and space.

The exhibition also delves into Medalla’s engagement with political and social issues, particularly his advocacy for peace and human rights. Works such as “Flying House” and “Destruction in Art Symposium” reflect his commitment to using art as a platform for activism and consciousness-raising.

What makes In Conversation with the Cosmos truly compelling is its ability to transcend the boundaries of traditional art forms. Medalla’s exploration of the cosmos, both literal and metaphorical, invites viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of the universe and our place within it. His use of unconventional materials and ephemeral mediums challenges us to reconsider our perception of art as something static, encouraging a more dynamic and interactive approach to aesthetic experience.

The Hammer Museum provides an ideal setting for this retrospective, with its spacious galleries allowing for an immersive engagement with each artwork. The exhibition design is thoughtful, guiding visitors through Medalla’s artistic evolution while allowing for moments of contemplation and discovery.

David Medalla: In Conversation with the Cosmos is on view at the Hammer Museum through September 15, 2024. The exhibition is a testament to the artist’s visionary spirit and enduring influence on contemporary art. His works prompts us to explore the intersections of art, science, and spirituality, inviting us to join Medalla in a profound conversation with the cosmos itself. This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in experiencing art that transcends boundaries and expands the horizons of perception and imagination.

David Medalla: In Conversation with the Cosmos is organized by Aram Moshayedi, interim chief curator, with Nyah Ginwright, curatorial assistant. Major support for David Medalla: In Conversation with the Cosmos is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Generous support is provided by Karen Hillenburg, and Christine Meleo Bernstein and Armyan Bernstein. Additional support is provided by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, David Regan and Edgar Cervantes, John Auerbach and Edward Tang, Beth and Ken Karmin, and Edward Lee.

From the press release.

ABOUT THE HAMMER MUSEUM:
The Hammer Museum is part of the School of the Arts and Architecture at UCLA, and offers exhibitions and collections that span classic to contemporary art. It holds more than 50,000 works in its collection, including one of the finest collections of works on paper in the nation, the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts. Through a wide-ranging, international exhibition program and the Made in L.A. biennial, the Hammer highlights contemporary art since the 1960s, especially the work of emerging and under -recognized artists. The exhibitions, permanent collections, and nearly 300 public programs annually— including film screenings, lectures, symposia, readings, music performances, and workshops for families—are all free to the public.

Admission to all exhibitions and programs at the Hammer Museum is free. Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Mondays and national holidays.

Hammer Museum

10899 Wilshire Boulevard at Westwood, Los Angeles.

Convenient self-parking is available under the museum. Parking entrances are located on the east side of Westwood Boulevard (northbound) or on the west side of Glendon Boulevard (southbound), between Wilshire Boulevard and Lindbrook Drive. Rates are $8 for the first three hours with museum validation, and $3 for each additional 20 minutes, with a $22 daily maximum. There is a $8 flat rate after 5 p.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends. 

Valet parking is available at the Lindbrook Drive entrance for $15. Valet is available for both museum and restaurant guests. Accessible parking is provided on levels P1 and P3. Visit hammer.ucla.edu for details or call 310-443-7000.