I’m currently writing a separate piece on Kevin Beasley’s current installation at the Hammer Museum, but I thought I would highlight him in my artist a day challenge as well.
Artists that incorporate sound into their work interest me these days because they activate their environments in an entirely new way. Some of Beasley’s ghost like resin sculptures are brought to life through their clothing, while others are activated through sound; in both instances he is re-animating the dead.
What’s also interesting about his work is that it is site-specific– the physical location plays an important role in the work that is shown there. So rather than the gallery or museum adapting to the work, Beasley creates installations and soundscapes that incorporate the space itself.
This is why his current work at the Hammer is so interesting. More to come on this… Stay tuned.
Images are from his 2016 group show called A Shape that Stands Up curated by Jamillah James at Art + Practice in Leimert Park and his current installation at the Hammer in Los Angeles on view through April 23, 2017.
Culture Shock Art 