SMoCA and ASU spring exhibits open Jan. 29

Retrospective of Betye Saar at SMoCA; ASU offers 6 exhibits

SMoCA and ASU Art Museum host their spring opening receptions this Friday.(Photo: Alyea Photographer, courtesy of SMoCA)

Two big art exhibit openings offer a chance to mingle with artists and curators.

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Arizona State University Art Museum host their spring openings on Jan. 29. The evening includes a preview of "Still Tickin' " by Betye Saar, a well-known contemporary artist, which opens Jan. 30 at SMoCA, and six exhibits through ASU.

Here's a glimpse at the exhibitions:

SMoCA

Contemporary artist Betye Saar's "Still Tickin'" exhibition will be highlighted at SMoCA on Friday. (Photo: Betye Saar)

"Betye Saar: Still Tickin' "

Saar has been creating compelling works since the 1960s, making statements about African-American identity through her assemblages, collages, sculptures and works on paper. This retrospective showcases her recent works as well as a selection of historical pieces from her long and robust career.

"Yo Soy ... Je Sui ... I Am ... The Future"

This annual exhibit in the Young@Art Gallery at SMoCA is hosted by the VSA International Art Program for Children with Disabilities in Washington, D.C. The works by children with development challenges answer questions such as "Who will I be in the future?"

SMoCA opening: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St. Free. 480-874-4666, smoca.org.

ASU Art Museum

"Superflex: Superfake/The Parley"

Danish art collective Superflex presents new works, starting with an existing work at the museum by Frederic Remington to examine issues such as authenticity and reproduction.

A work by Danish art collective Superflex that appears in "Superflex: Superfake/The Parley" at ASU Art Museum. (Photo: Infrared photography test, courtesy of Superflex artists and 1301PE.)

"Participant: Photography by Spencer Tunick from the Stéphane Janssen Collection"

This exhibition features installation, photography and performance by Spencer Tunick, who has spent years traveling the world and taking photos of nude figures in rural and urban public places.

"Tony Labat: Love Me Two Times"

See works by the Bay Area-based, Cuban-born artist who presents an installation of a pool table shaped like Cuba and a video installation of surveillance of day laborers shot from the window of the artist's studio.

"Where Without Whom"

Works by José Ygnacio Bermúdez, Enrique Chagoya, Luis Gonzalez Palma and others from the museum's collection were selected to represent the spirit of Octavio Paz's poem "Where Without Whom."

"WATERTIGHT: Sandra Ramos"

Cuban artist Sandra Ramos presents eight video installations that take on the complicated issue of the relationship between Cuba and the U.S.

A work by Cuban artist Sandra Ramos in one of several exhibits highlighted at ASU Art Museum's Spring Opening Reception (Photo: Courtesy of ASU Art Museum)

"Paul J. Smith Portraits: A Photographic Journal of the Ceramic Community"

The exhibit features 20 portraits by well-known curator and museum director Paul J. Smith, along with contemporary ceramics from ASU's impressive collection.

ASU Art Museum opening: Friday, Jan. 29. 5:30-6:30 p.m. members and alumni preview; 6:30-8:30 p.m. public reception. All exhibits are at the ASU Art Museum except for "Paul J. Smith Portraits," which is at the ASU Art Museum Brickyard. ASU Art Museum, 51 E. 10th St., Tempe. ASU Art Museum Brickyard, 699 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. Free. 480-965-2787, asuartmuseum.asu.edu.

Reach the reporter at kellie.hwang@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8690. Follow at twitter.com/KellieHwang.

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Source: SMoCA and ASU spring exhibits open Jan. 29