Museum of New Art combines the works of 4 solo shows Exhibit captures the demise of Detroit, terrorism and war in photographs, paintings and installation. The Museum of New Art (MONA) is known for creative exhibits and a director who likes to tweak the public's sensibilities. The place lives up to its reputation on both counts with the current offerings. Four solo shows under the MONA umbrella are spread over two floors of the Oakland Art Center. Photographers John Cynar and the mysterious Stig Eklund share one second floor space. Painter Ed Sarkis holds forth across the hall. Downstairs in a gallery earmarked for emerging artists is an installation by Audra Wolowiec. Combining sculpture, photography, performance and installation, Wolowiec has created an exciting "laboratory" of mixed mediums that both celebrates and lampoons the art of science and the science of art.
Although the exhibits have topical references, the artists deal with them individually. For instance, in his series of black-and-white digital images devoted to the demise of a central city, Cynar avoids such obvious subjects as burned-out buildings to concentrate on doorways and windows photographed in Detroit's Woodward corridor after midnight. Together, these pictures reflect the sadness and sense of loss that many Detroiters feel these days. Cynar, a sculptor turned photographer, also is showing a striking series of two-part digital images of churches on one side and radio, cell phone or TV towers on the other side. They are united by overlays of color.
Sarkis takes on terrorism, war and other political and social conflicts that mark our times. He works with a restless, probing line and gestural brushwork to convey images of hooded prisoners in Afghanistan, riot police in Seattle or the World Trade Center bombing. The paintings have a universal quality and question the meaning of humanity.
Now for Stig Eklund, a Norwegian photographer; who takes command of digital technology, creating haunting portraits, shadowy figures and urban and country landscapes. Some of the landscapes glow in the dark thanks to luminescent paper. Eklund also excels as a painter, a video artist and a maker of constructions. He is one terrific all-around artist.
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