Christopher Reynolds. Human Condition. Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Art is a Human Condition
By Genie Davis
Through November 30th
Over 200 works of art stand in as patient, physician, and hospital staff surrogates at what once was the Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center in West Adams.
Encompassing an enormous 40,000 square foot exhibition area taking up three floors of the former hospital, this exhibition is the cure for what ails you when it comes to the art scene in LA.
This immersive show is nothing short of awesome, both in terms of the wide-ranging variety of the installation pieces, sculptures, photographs and paintings on display, their individual brilliance, and in the audacity of the exhibit’s concept: take an empty building and inhabit it – with site-specific art.
Bettina Hubby. Human Condition. Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Curator and art advisor John Wolf founded John Wolf Art Advisory & Brokerage in 2009 to help private collectors, institutions, and corporations create collections of contemporary art. Through his business, he was able to reach out to the current purchasers of the abandoned hospital, who plan to develop it – and temporarily take it over as a new form of institution: an art gallery such as you have never seen before.
Spanning the ground floor, including the cafeteria; the maternity ward, and the psychiatric ward – and on opening night, the morgue, where performance artist Millie Brown hung suspended from the ceiling– more than eighty artists take viewers into a world that is surreal and edgy, the setting unnerving, the art exploratory.
The exploration is quite literally about what it means to be human: to be born, to dare to imagine and dream, to be sick, to be cured, to die. The hospital is the stage – and a character itself – in the artistic drama that is life. No one can be completely cured of the “human condition.”
Opening night found the hospital busier than an emergency room on the night of a full moon, but the art enthusiast crowd did nothing to dispel the general, eerie dilapidation of the space, making the room-size installations and individual pieces alike pop with the visceral sensation of surprise and poignant recognition.
An open bar served drinks handed to viewers by volunteers clad in bloodied hospital scrubs. The elevators creaked and groaned. Of the two empty floors not used as exhibition space, it was discussed: “What’s on that floor, do you think?” The reply was: “Nothing, it’s haunted.”
Haunting would be the overall word for this show, the highlights of which are almost too numerous to mention.
There is the psych ward’s violently fuschia room installation by Amir H. Fallah, a visual depiction of a cluttered mind; the shower room housing Gintare Bandinskaite mixed media sculpture of a blood-filled tub; Matt Wedel’s ceramic sculptures in operating rooms; Christopher Reynolds’ salmon pink coating of utensils and walls in the hospital kitchen.
Amir Fallah. Human Condition. Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Strange green alien figures emerge from the hospital’s autoclaves, created by artists David Benjamin Sherry and Kim Simonsson. Daniel Arsham’s operating room sculpture is the figure of a man subsumed by a white melting substance. Distorted, broken sculptures by Johan Tahon and Laurent Grasso hover ghost-like, waiting for a cure that never comes in another operating arena. A photograph of a screaming man by Polly Borland is juxtaposed with a faded hospital wall mural of odd looking bunnies in the maternity ward.
The show thrills, chills, and resides in the spirit, a clammy hand to the forehead of a man strapped to a hospital gurney, a swift slap to the baby just-born and reluctant to cry. If there is one exhibition guaranteed to up the temperature of your art-viewing experience this fall, its Human Condition. Go check yourself in.
Kim Simonsson. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Artists exhibiting include:
Nina Chanel Abney, Ashton Allen, Daniel Arsham, Gintare Bandinskaite, Tanya Batura, Katherine Bernhardt, Louise Bonnet, Polly Borland, Delia Brown, Millie Brown, Kendell Carter, Ross Chisholm, Greg Colson, Chris Cran, Gregory Crewdson, Zoe Crosher, Mira Dancy, Marc Dennis, Marlene Dumas, Celeste Dupuy-Spencer, Nicole Eisenman, Amir H. Fallah, Louis Fratino, Derek Fordjour, Danny Fox, Louisa Gagliardi, Anna Glantz, Brendan Getz, Laurent Grasso, Heidi Hahn, Michael Haight, Brian Harte, Sebastian Herzau, Katie Herzog, Jenny Holzer, Marc Horowitz, Ridley Howard, Bettina Hubby, Leonhard Hurzlmeier, Matthew Day Jackson, Joshua Jefferson, Chantal Joffe, Jordan Kasey, Hoda Kashiha, Shay Kun, Friedrich Kunath, Owen Kydd, Kelly Lamb, Jonathan Lux, Tala Madani, Robert Mapplethorpe, Daniel Joseph Martinez, Max Maslansky, Tony Matelli, Simon Mathers, Patrick McElnea, John Millei, Marilyn Minter, Theo Mercier, JoshuaNathanson, Sarah Petersen, Vernon Price, Tal R, Christopher Reynolds, Holly Rockwell, Alexander Ruthner, Lionel Sabatte, Stuart Sandford, Yves Scherer, Max Hooper Schneider, David Benjamin Sherry, Kim Simonsson, Peter Stichbury, Claire Tabouret, Johan Tahon, Mateo Tannatt, Kenneth Tam, Ed Templeton, Kristian Touborg,Nick van Woert, Mark Verabioff, Matt Wedel, Bernhard Willhelm,Jessica Williams, Bradley Wood, and Alexander Yulish.
The exhibition is located at 2231 S. Western Ave. in Los Angeles, and is open Friday through Sunday from 11-6 through November 30th.
A TOUR OF #THEHOSPITAL
Ridkey Howard. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tony Matelli. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Michael Haight. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Marc Horowitz. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Ross Chisholm. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kim Simonsson. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kristian Touboug. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Michael Haight. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Sebastien Herzau. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tony Matelli. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Ross Chisholm. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kelly Lamb. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Katie Herzog. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Nick Van Woert. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Max Maslansky. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Alexander Yulish. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Vernon Price. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Amir Fallah. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Polly Borland. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Mark Verabioff and Daniel Joseph Martinez. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Marc Horowitz. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Gregory Crewdson and Matthew Day Jackson. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Polly Borland. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Katie Herzog. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Yves Scherer. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Anna Glantz. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Patrick Mcelnea. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kendall Carter. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Christopher Reynolds. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Daniel Joseph Martinez. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Gintare Bandiskaite. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Owen Kydd. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Owen Kydd. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Ed Templeton. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Yves Scherer and Max Hooper Schneider. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Max Hooper Schneider. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kristian Touboug. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Delia Brown. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kenneth Tam. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Owen Kydd. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Polly Borland. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Owen Kydd. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tanya Batura. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Jessica Williams. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Max Hooper Schneider. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Bradley Wood. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Polly Borland and Johan Tahon. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tal R. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
David Benjamin Sherry. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Celeste Dupuy Spencer. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Alexander Ruthner and Ross Chisholm. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Greg Colson. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kim Simonsson and David Benjamin Sherry. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Mark Verabioff. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Michael Haight. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Mateo Tannatt. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Anna Glantz. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Owen Kydd. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Marlene Dumas. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Bernhard Willhem. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Lionel Sabatte. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Eric Curtis. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Brian Harte. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Eric Curtis. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Daniel Joseph Martinez. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Louisa Gagliardi. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Owen Kydd and Matt Wedel. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Bradley Wood. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Vernon Price. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Christopher Reynolds. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Christopher Reynolds. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
David Benjamin Sherry. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Polly Borland. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tanya Batura. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Daniel Arsham. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kendell Carter. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Lionel Sabatte. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Ross Chisholm. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Marlene Dumas. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Chantal Joffe and Jenny Holzer. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Lionel Sabatte. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Christopher Reynolds. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Michael Haight. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Sebastien Herzau. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Daniel Joseph Martinez and Delia Brown. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kristian Touboug. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Christopher Reynolds. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Matthew Day Jackson. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Katherine Bernhardt. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Nick Van Woert. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kendell Carter. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Amir Fallah. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Sebastien Herzau. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Mira Dancy. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kendell Carter. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kristian Touboug. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kendell Carter. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tanya Batura. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Hoda Kashiha. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Polly Borland. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Stuart Sanford. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Mark Verabioff. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Shay Kun. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Marilyn Minter. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Ridkey Howard. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Max Maslansky. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Kendell Carter. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Daniel Joseph Martinez and Mark Verbioff. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tanya Batura. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Bettina Hubby. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Danny Fox. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Amir Fallah. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Owen Kydd. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Carson Garhart. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Christopher Reynolds. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Jordan Kasey. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Mark Verabioff. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Mateo Tannatt. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Amir Fallah. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tony Matelli. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Ashton Allen. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Max Hooper Schneider. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Marlene Dumas. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Matthew Day Jackson. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Louis Fratino. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Christopher Reynolds. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Max Maslansky. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Polly Borland. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Heidi Hahn. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Leonard Hurzimeier. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Peter Stichbury. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Holly Rockwell. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Louise Bonnet. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Chris Cran. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Alexander Rutherner. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Ross Chisholm. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Nick Van Woert. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Michael Haight. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Friedrich Kunath. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Robert Mapplethorpe. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Yves Scherer. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
John Millei. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Amir Fallah. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Marc Dennis. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Tony Matelli.Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Polly Borland. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Joshua Jefferso and Derek Fordjour. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
Nick Van Woert. Human Condition – Photo Credit Kristine Schomaker
