Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/730395
culturedmag.com 71 It only seems right for SFMOMA to be the place for seminal West Coast artist Bruce Conner to get his first career retrospective. Starting October 29, "It's All True" includes 250 objects in his characteristically wide variety of media—painting, film, photography, sculpture and assemblage. "It seemed appropriate to make the integration of all these components of his practice the guiding principle for our retrospective," says Curator of Media Arts Rudolf Frieling. Conner's work often reflects the morbid undertones of the '50s and '60s, as well as the anarchic sneering punk scene of the '70s. The Conner celebration continues in L.A. at the Landing gallery, where "Rat Bastard Protective Association," a group show featuring the work of 12 artists from that movement, organized by Dr. Anastasia Aukeman, opens on October 1. SFMOMA.ORG Gaetano Pesce bridges architecture and industrial design with contemporary art flair. One of the most prolific users of cast resin, the multidisciplinarian continues to push the medium to new extremes. This fall, 40 years of Pesce's work will be on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles for a landmark design retrospective organized by MOCA Senior Curator Bennett Simpson. MOCA.ORG Taryn Simon tends to tailor medium to content. Working outward from a research-driven process, Simon is often highly conceptual in her multidisciplinary work. This fall, she tries her hand at performance with a Park Avenue Armory installation, An Occupation of Loss. Starting on September 13, visitors will be invited to participate in Simon's meditation on grief, both on an individual and communal level. ARMORYONPARK.ORG A still from Bruce Conner's Crossroads, 1976 Gaetano Pesce's Feltri Chair, 2015 PHOTO BY DA PING LUO, COURTESY OF PARK AVENUE ARMORY; SFMOMA, MOMA © 2016 CONNER FAMILY TRUST ; BRYCE WOLKOWITZ GALLERY; ©MOCA Taryn Simon at the Park Avenue Armory Edward Burtynsky's Pivot Irrigation #39, 2012 Art dealer Bryce Wolkowitz has a reputation for favoring new media art. A former photographer, he represents some of the best in the business, including Stephen Wilkes and Bruce Davidson. On November 3, Wolkowitz turns his attention to the recent work of another star, Edward Burtynsky. "He has carved out for himself a very definitive style, akin to a Gurksy or a Sugimoto," Wolkowitz explains. "This paring of real artistry coupled with a documentary journalistic environmental arm is really quite rare in the history of photography." The exhibition will attempt to capture Wolkowitz's admiration for the artist with a selection from Burtynsky's past work, from green mountains to urban castles. BRYCEWOLKOWITZ.COM