Art to Ponder and Enjoy

Nick Cave: Forothermore – The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Wow!  Dazzling. Thought-provoking. I was immediately immersed in this spectacular exhibit of beautiful colors and optical “illusions.” I say illusions because Nick Cave’s “Forothermore” is so much more than dazzling colorful eye candy. Upon closer inspection, you really see what he’s trying to tell us and it is often not pretty. It is moving and inspiring, beautiful and heartbreaking, showing us how life has a way of fooling us into believing there is equal opportunity for all, but that it’s a misconception.

Nick Cave’s use of textures and found objects is fascinating. This exhibit shows his ability to create incredible art out of just about anything. He is a collector and a thinker. His works are often larger than life, glitzy, kitschy and bold with exuberant color. I also enjoyed his more subtle pieces, with messages of family, community, and life. The bodysuits are awesome and towering. It was interesting to listen to his audio presentations and how he talks about them as protective. They are beautiful, and yet we live in a world where people need protection.

It was a lovely night at The Museum of Contemporary Art. The organization should feel proud to have been given this opportunity and they did a great job. A wonderful time- a great vibe, strong art, jazz band playing sublime music -perfect with an appropriately full moon and 75° temperatures on a spring evening in Chicago. It felt like a celebration of life, and with Nick Cave’s exhibit- mesmerizing, and sending it’s message creatively and artistically, it was. Cave points out how prejudice and elitism exist in even the smallest, most insidious ways. He has a lot to say. Life is beautiful, circumstance can be devastating and complex. Beauty and ugliness stand side-by-side. Appearances can be deceiving, and awareness is acutely necessary. In a world that is often complicated and sad, we will always have Nick Cave’s art to ponder and enjoy. The show was very gratifying and moving- I can’t wait to go see it again!

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Janis Walczak

For tickets and more information, visit mcachicago.org.