4/6/2015 Six Pieces That Stuck Out at the New Museum's Triennial

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Six Pieces That Stuck Out at theNew Museum's Triennial

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The primary criticism towards the New Museum’sTriennial

(http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamlehrer/2015/02/08/5artiststowatchnewmuseumtriennial/) is that it it, quite simply, A LOT to take in at once.This criticism is fair, but it also might be missing the point. As I skulkedaround the opening last night, snapping photos on my sad point and shootcamera, I was overwhelmed with sensory and hyper aware of the setting.Trying to navigate through swarms of people, from young New School(http://www.forbes.com/colleges/thenewschool/) students to the elderstatesmen of the art world, was like trying to escape from a straight jacket. Thevenue was packed, and there were hundreds of good looking artsy typesadorned in fashionable clothing of one style or another that were clearlyfeeling the density of the production as well. Attendees were more often found

Adam Lehrer (http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamlehrer/) ContributorI write about New York's art gallery system and museum structure.Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

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4/6/2015 Six Pieces That Stuck Out at the New Museum's Triennial

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schmoozing and boozing then taking in any single piece for any length of time. It was a little uncomfortable, a little unnerving, and perhaps that was theentire point.

Scenes from the Opening of the New Museum Triennial, All photography by Adam Lehrer

“Surround Audience (/companies/audience/) ADNC +6.31% (/companies/audience/) ” wasaimed towards exploring the way we live in this megaconnected andtechnological world. And in this world, we are overwhelmed constantly. Evenif we wanted to unplug, most of our jobs wouldn’t let us. It’s hard to appreciatebeauty when you are plugged into the Matrix. The exhibit explores that notionteetering on sensory chaos. That being said, there were some pieces thatsucked me right out of the pandemonium. Curators Lauren Cornell and RyanTrecartin could certainly have kept the exhibit tighter; showing 51 artists atonce is no easy accomplishment. But these six pieces took me out of the chaos;for a moment I could look closely and appreciate.

Frank Benson “ Juliana”

4/6/2015 Six Pieces That Stuck Out at the New Museum's Triennial

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Frank Benson, “Juliana”

Judging from some of the press, it appears that the Virginiabased artist FrankBenson’s “Juliana” is a crowd favorite at the Triennial and with good reason:the sculpture of Benson’s friend, transgendered artist Juliana Huxtable, isbeautifully rendered and clearly made in loving homage. Perched in the centerfold of the museum’s second floor, the image cuts through the crowd. It’sdazzlingly lifelike. Those that don’t know the subject of the piece beforelooking at it find themselves shocked when they look up and down thebeautiful female form only to find a penis between the object’s legs. The pieceforces you to recognize the world’s changing standards of beauty.

Josh Kline, “Freedom”

Josh Kline, “Freedom”

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4/6/2015 Six Pieces That Stuck Out at the New Museum's Triennial

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