Currently On View

Through January 13, 2024

MoMa- The Museum of Modern Art

Explore ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN at the Museum of Modern Art, showcasing over 200 works spanning six decades. From painting and drawing to prints, photography, books, film, and installations, Ruscha's creativity knows no bounds—utilizing materials from gunpowder to chocolate. Delve into his iconic contributions to postwar American art and discover lesser-known aspects of his career. This exhibition offers fresh perspectives on Ruscha's influential body of work, which has left an indelible mark on artists, architects, designers, and writers for generations. Follow Ruscha's journey from leaving Oklahoma City in 1956 to his exploration of commercial art in Los Angeles, drawing inspiration from the city's architecture, speech, and popular culture. Witness his transformative approach to familiar subjects, revisiting motifs and sites years later. ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN traces the evolution of his methods, highlighting the continuous reinvention that defines his artistic legacy.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Fire

The Back of Hollywood

The Music from the Balconies

Tulsa Slut

Ed Ruscha / Now Then: A Retrospective

Description
**A sweeping cross-media survey of Ruscha's six-decade career, from paintings and works on paper to photographs and artist's books, with essays by leading scholars**
Spanning 65 years of Ed Ruscha's remarkable career and mirroring his own cross-disciplinary approach, *Ed Ruscha / Now Then* features over 250 objects, produced from 1958 to the present, including paintings, drawings, prints, films, photographs, artist's books and installations. Published to accompany the most comprehensive presentation of the artist's work to date, and his first solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, this richly illustrated catalog highlights Ruscha's most acclaimed works alongside lesser-known aspects of his practice.
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Biography

Ed Ruscha, born on December 16, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska, is an American artist celebrated for his profound contributions to contemporary art, particularly within the realms of Pop Art and Conceptual Art. Raised in Oklahoma City, Ruscha embarked on his artistic journey in the late 1950s.

In 1956, Ruscha left his hometown and made the iconic cross-country drive along Route 66 to study commercial art at the Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts) in Los Angeles. This pivotal move would shape his artistic perspective, as he drew inspiration from the city's vibrant culture, architecture, and colloquial speech.

Ruscha's early works often explored the intersection of language and image, reflecting the influence of mass media and consumer culture. His unique blend of text and imagery, presented with a cool and detached sensibility, set him apart as a pioneering figure in the Pop Art movement.

Over his more than six-decade career, Ruscha has employed a diverse range of mediums, including painting, drawing, prints, photography, artist's books, film, and installation. His innovative use of materials, from traditional paints to unconventional substances like gunpowder and chocolate, adds an experimental dimension to his creations.

The artist gained recognition for his ability to transform ordinary subjects into compelling artistic statements. Whether capturing the essence of roadside gas stations, Hollywood logos, or urban landscapes, Ruscha's work often reflects a keen observation of the American cultural landscape.

Ed Ruscha's impact extends beyond his artwork, influencing generations of artists, architects, designers, and writers. His exploration of language, space, and the passage of time has left an indelible mark on the art world. Notable for his continuous reinvention and exploration of new concepts, Ruscha remains a dynamic force in contemporary art, with his works displayed in prestigious museums and collections worldwide.