Art Well Done

Your first thought after turning the corner at The Modern’s current exhibit might say more about you than the New York City-based artist who created it. The aftermath of a nuclear explosion crossed my mind as I carefully stepped over the wind-swept detritus.  

Five piles of dirty, messy leaves fill much of the museum’s oval-shaped space known as the Eclipse. The mashup of colorful leaves and random backyard objects is photorealistic, surreal, and quietly unsettling. 

The large installation work by Rebecca Manson also invites exploration. At first glance, the setting could be any neglected backyard late into fall. There’s a weathered Goodyear tire partly covered by clay leaves at the bottom of one heap. Nearby, a charcoal grill lies half toppled over. 

Then there are the oddities, like the half-eaten grilled chicken wing atop a flower and the untouched t-bone steak on the ground. Ceramic shrimp usually wouldn’t unsettle me. In such a chaotic setting, even banal objects become a cause for question or alarm. 

Barbecue, on display through August 25, begs the question: How often do we scrutinize the mess we leave behind or the disasters our society causes? Outside of Manson’s enticing landscapes, not often. 

Stay Social with Sounds Modern 

The Modern’s live music series continues June 29 with Surrealism and Us: Caribbean and African Diasporic Composers.