Since 1986, the Carnegie International has been held every three to four years at the Carnegie Museum of Art, and it’s the longest-running exhibition of international art in North America! If you haven’t had a chance to check out previous exhibitions, going to see the 58th Carnegie International this season before it closes is an absolute must.
The title of the 58th exhibition is Is it morning for you yet?, and it kicked off on September 24 with an exciting opening party and a whole weekend of kickoff activities. It’s now open to the public through April 2, 2023, so you have plenty of time to get your tickets and explore the curated exhibit.
According to the Carnegie Museum of Art’s website, “The exhibition borrows its title from a Mayan Kaqchikel expression, where instead of saying ‘Good morning’ it is customary to ask, ‘Is it morning for you yet?’” This is meant to represent that like our own internal clocks, humans’ perceptions and experiences are different, and what might be morning for you might be nighttime for someone else.
Whether or not you’re a huge art buff, there’s something for everyone at the 58th Carnegie International – young and old, local or visiting, knowledgeable art lovers or open-minded appreciators. Here are a few highlights we’re excited about:
When you first approach the Carnegie Museum of Art, one of the first pieces of the 58th Carnegie International that you’ll encounter is actually outside the physical confines of the museum. This public art piece, the first ever by artist Tishan Hsu, was commissioned for the exhibition and is constructed of fiberglass and powder-coated steel. According to the museum, the piece “expands on the idea of infinite surface he has been interrogating through his artist practice for nearly 40 years.” Both the cascading piece taking over the stairs and the two vehicle pieces nearby create one work that examines themes of speed, movement, technology, and industrial materials in an urban space.
The 58th Carnegie International features work from more than 100 international artists from 40 territories worldwide, including this piece from contemporary artist Mohammed Sami. The museum describes Sami’s art as “an allegorical representation against the striking image of conflict and violence… his paintings explore belated memories triggered by common everyday objects, from when he immigrated to Sweden as a refugee from his native Iraq.”
Kate Millett is a feminist writer perhaps best known for writing Sexual Politics in 1970, but she’s also a prolific sculptor! Her cage sculptures, which are on display in the museum’s Grand Staircase, create enclosures around typical domestic objects and mannequins wrapped in strips of cloth. According to the museum, for Millet, “the form of the cage was both a literal and metaphorical device, a reflection of her research into the patriarchy and the forms of oppression it empowers.”
To plan your visit to the 58th Carnegie International at the Carnegie Museum of Art, visit cmoa.org/visit and book your tickets. (Pro tip: visit around the holidays to also enjoy the museum’s annual Carnegie Trees Holiday Display!)
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.