Whether you hang with the downtown artsy folk, associate with the uptown trendsetters, or consider your life one big social experiment as you float between cliques, Brazilian artist Rivane Neuenschwander’s new exhibition at the New Museum will appeal, in some way or another, to you.
A Day Like Any Other celebrates a decade of the artist’s conceptual works known for their ability to span a wide range of themes and identities. The piece that’s attracting the most buzz—probably in part because visitors walk away with a free trinket—is I Wish Your Wish: three sprawling walls lined with colorful ribbons for the taking. Viewers are asked to “take two or three” (although I witnessed the suspect act of a woman shoving at least 20 into her purse) and tie them onto their wrists with three knots. Once the accessory falls off naturally, the written wish comes true. Participants may also scribble their own wishes on provided paper scraps and roll them into ribbonless holes—not unlike the Wailing Wall in Israel.
Verdict:
- Interactive exhibitions are an effective way to lure newbie museum-goers or those who mask their curiosity with a defeatist I-just-don’t-get-art attitude.
- Exhibitions with freebies—especially ones that become summer’s hot must-have accessory—are an even better way to accomplish the aforementioned goal.
- If you venture to the New Museum for Neuenschwander’s show, try to find the wish ribbon that reads, “I WISH FOR MAGICAL POWERS.” Apparently it’s a rare gem.
-Nicki
Above: an account of my lunch break today. Follow RxArt for more gripping tales from the nonprofit art world!
