All images (c) Gregory Hurcomb.

Though its signature spiral is hardly visible from the outside, the Guggenheim is one of the world’s most recognizable pieces of architecture. What a ridiculous statement, I think, a vague and quite generalized report if I ever heard one, especially coming from myself. Perhaps the blandness of the entrance is what shocks me into thinking it, the white walls in direct contrast with the kaleidoscopic, mystical swing-set that artist Maurizio Cattelan has constructed in the building’s atrium. Keep reading.

It’s a dangling deconstruction, full of parodies of power and pomegranate seeds of discovery. I get lost in the dangling taxidermy, Hitler’s cartoon visage, the pope’s downfall, all swaying above me, the walls blank canvases, art’s artifice. I mingle with it all on the spiral ramp, up to the sky, visit the pigeons that roost on the art, all is surreal, all is the magic of the now. Visitors gawk, dazzled, enthralled, impaled on the edge of the balcony, beckoned by Cattelan. Be sure to catch this one.

Maurizio Cattelan’s show, “All,” is on view at the Guggenheim Museum until January 22nd, 2012.

All images (c) Gregory Hurcomb, whose blog can be found here.

by Gregory Hurcomb

posted in Uncategorized

tagged Art, distress signals, guggenheim, Maurizio Cattelan, photography

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