Here Not There: San Diego Art Now

Went to see the Here Not There: San Diego Art Now exhibition at MCASD this past weekend. A nice showing, for sure. I was excited to see art from local artists, people whom MCASD feels are making significant contributions to the narrative of art in San Diego.

Contemporary art usually requires some work in order to engage what's going on. For me, it's a love/hate process. One side of me says SAY WHAT YOU MEAN, make it clear, be a little more obvious. As a graphic designer, who's job it is to express ideas clearly and succinctly, contemporary art can be a frustration. But then, (at least part of) the process of interacting with contemporary art is the process itself. And that, I think, is the true beauty and oft unrealized potential of contemporary art. How well an artist can bring me through that process, guide me, challenge me is a big part of my appreciation for it. 

Much of it too though, is contextual. James Enos' piece that is part of Here Not There is a criticism on the suburban landscape of the city of Claremont, and was particularly powerful for me. I suspect this is largely due to my own very personal experiences and bias against the suburban environment, and I'm not sure others would have such a strong reaction/connection to it. I grew up a child of suburbia, in the post-war era where the master-planned community was the modern utopian expression of the American Dream. For many it's only now turning out to be less than a dream. For many, a growing nightmare. I think that's a big part of why I feel so connected to my little old neighborhood, a old-school, grid-based neighborhood where it's still possible to walk to the market, to see art, to have a beer, to see my friends.

Which is where art becomes powerful. Here Not There, being art by locals, is an opportunity for the people of San Diego to see their city through the eyes of artists. Are they seeing all that needs to be seen?... commenting on all the needs to be commented on?... challenging in all the ways we, and our leaders, need to be challenged?