The Dada drawing that was a "light switch" for Ed Ruscha

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  • Опубліковано 13 жов 2024
  • In art school Ed Ruscha was struck by an unusual drawing by Dada artist Johannes Theodor Baargeld that he developed a "mystical connection" to. He made a cold call to MoMA to see if he could come see it in person and, surprisingly, got through. Hear how the encounter went on to inspire his own work's "controlled disorder."
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    #EdRuscha #dada #drawing #art #museumofmodernart #moma #museum #modernart

КОМЕНТАРІ • 76

  • @tomtromby4933
    @tomtromby4933 Рік тому +170

    It is a bit surprising and oddly comforting that even an artist like Ruscha cannot fully explain why he was interested in a specific so much. Sometimes, things just click.

    • @clanhouseonline
      @clanhouseonline Рік тому +2

      isn’t it not a intriguing repetition with a subtle story, like a cartoon strip?

    • @p6v665
      @p6v665 Рік тому +4

      autism 😊

    • @the99thtimelord16
      @the99thtimelord16 Рік тому

      It's pretty obvious. He's trying to matter and is latching on to anything if it will just give him a direction to go artistically. It's pretty fucking sad but definitely relatable. Also his "inspired" beetle paintings are shit. This whole thing was a bad substitute for putting his own self on canvas.

    • @brockbierly
      @brockbierly Рік тому

      ​@@p6v665goated

    • @sooperd00p
      @sooperd00p Рік тому

      ​@@p6v665that word has literally lost all meaning.

  • @paza65
    @paza65 Рік тому +55

    I am a collage artist and had the honor, literally today, of being approached by a woman who wanted to discus one of my pieces. She didn't ask me what it meant but, wanted to know if I understood why it made her feel a certain way. Too often if feels that people insist you tell them why you did a thing and what it means without actually letting themselves have their own experience. I love hearing other artists talk about why they felt as Ruscha did about someone else's art without judging first.

    • @Kufunninapuh
      @Kufunninapuh 11 місяців тому

      That sounds magical. I'm envious.

  • @marksnelgrove
    @marksnelgrove 6 місяців тому +2

    I attended the retrospective opening at LACMA this week. So much of his work from the 60s and 70s looks like it was made yesterday. His diverse portfolio should be an inspiration to all to make art.

  • @dadsongs
    @dadsongs Рік тому +16

    I think the key to this video was how the artist try to understand why he was intrigued with the artwork, and not the initial meaning behind what it "meant". For me, the search for "meaning" is overrated. Thanks for posting this.

  • @StarSystemAndromeda
    @StarSystemAndromeda Рік тому +28

    Intriguing! Thank you for introducing me to two artists and expanding my horizons!! 💛💛

  • @OTOss8
    @OTOss8 Рік тому +5

    That's really cool that people used to be able to call up the MoMA and get to see certain works.

  • @cchemmes-seeseeart3948
    @cchemmes-seeseeart3948 3 дні тому

    This is thrilling to me to see as an artist, because I've already had a major style idea in mind, that's been churning in my mind, that is very much related to what I'm seeing in this whole video.... & it was Ed Ruscha's light switch moment. I'm having a couple of my own today, with 2 artist videos in progress right now. I love your videos. Wow! Great video. Great artist. Thanks.

  • @VetsrisAuguste
    @VetsrisAuguste Рік тому +13

    “Controlled disorder”
    I absolutely get it. I can see in the structure of the work a very apt depiction of a familiar process for creating new dance vocabulary. The work’s resemblance to a musical staff only underscores the procedural nature of this approach. I believe it could literally be read like a form of dance notation and turned into choreographed movement for the human body.

    • @bodawei425
      @bodawei425 Рік тому +1

      Your analysis is very interesting. Indeed, it seems this work is multidimensional, space-wise, time-wise, and purpose-wise. Something like a new language that seems to make sense but that we cannot comprehend.

  • @rrosaseconda
    @rrosaseconda Рік тому +4

    I have had the privilege of going to NYMoMA and looking at print works intimately and the experience is always inspiring!

  • @stiffiron
    @stiffiron Рік тому +18

    That was interesting! I think nearly every artist has had moments like this, and it's one of the beautiful things about being an artist! :-)

  • @jackielorenz4109
    @jackielorenz4109 Рік тому

    I ❤these snippets that take us through the many stories in MoMA. Good for the soul

  • @jamesg2382
    @jamesg2382 Рік тому +1

    Thank you from Australia. Love these videos. Much appreciated

  • @ChefJuice
    @ChefJuice 11 місяців тому

    Absolutely beautiful collection and we love paris. Music is so good too. What a good show.

  • @KpxUrz5745
    @KpxUrz5745 8 місяців тому

    I did not get much out of this video, nor do I get anything from the art of Ruscha. But I do appreciate one thing: the fact that some museums may be receptive to private displays of specific works of art in their collection to interested parties. I will do this if I get the chance.

  • @scottpitner4298
    @scottpitner4298 Рік тому +1

    I can see why that piece grabbed him. It’s fascinating. It makes you do a double take and more because there’s something familiar at first about it. Then you feel something’s wrong like a mistake in it but after some close inspection, it’s all purposeful and intriguing

  • @robertpepper5256
    @robertpepper5256 Рік тому +3

    Love this story. Love Ed Ruscha. My mystical art influence was Peter Blake’s “Got a Girl” 1961, at the Whitworth Gallery Manchester UK. I saw it in 1980 and it still informs my design process, heavily. I’m wondering what works other people have been inspired by?

  • @robertdufour2456
    @robertdufour2456 Рік тому

    Thank you so much for this wonderful presentation!

  • @mazzreadstarot
    @mazzreadstarot Рік тому

    Thank you so much!

  • @Sara-ti7he
    @Sara-ti7he Рік тому +2

    Love these videos so much.

  • @Epoch11
    @Epoch11 Рік тому +2

    It looks like a technical drawing for making a light switch out of insects

  • @P1Brand
    @P1Brand Рік тому +3

    Love this...thank you MoMA. Thank you Ed for sharing your story. It's fascinating.

  • @brian_medlock_collage
    @brian_medlock_collage Рік тому +1

    I LOVE this little video. LOVE ED!...❤B

  • @DippedInInk
    @DippedInInk Рік тому +2

    Art is a portal to another world. Would love to hear how the creator thought of this piece.

  • @motionsuggests
    @motionsuggests Рік тому +1

    I feel the same thing with Francis Picabia's art! Haven't delved much into Dada beyond a few manifestos but the inexplicable order - some sort of theory underlying chaos, demented typography/graphic design, is fascinating.
    It seems my profile picture here is still one of Picabia's work, haha

  • @Enr227
    @Enr227 Рік тому +2

    It recapitulates diagrams of gaba receptors. It is mystical.

  • @nelsonx5326
    @nelsonx5326 Рік тому

    That is a very interesting drawing. I once had my foundation destroyed while looking at an etching. I had some kind of mental breakdown that lasted 2 weeks. It was agonizing.

  • @margolyn8291
    @margolyn8291 Рік тому +1

    Scarab beetles..Egypt. .I'm intrigued too

  • @rainybear925
    @rainybear925 11 місяців тому

    love!

  • @rememberthefuture944
    @rememberthefuture944 Рік тому

    Wonderful.

  • @goody71
    @goody71 11 місяців тому

    Speaking of art; can anyone identify the ice on his wrist? I love that watch.

  • @JoanKentBible
    @JoanKentBible Рік тому

    Interesting drawing! I can see how it might be one that you would not forget. I was wondering what was the insightful "click" revelation?

  • @huskytail
    @huskytail Рік тому +1

    It would have been so amazing if there was a link to the work in good resolution so we can ask just look at it and find our own in it.
    I don't want to sound ungrateful though. That was an amazing video.

    • @themuseumofmodernart
      @themuseumofmodernart  Рік тому +3

      Great suggestion! We just added the link to the collection page in the description, and here it is for easy access: www.moma.org/collection/works/35886

  • @angelstrawn5493
    @angelstrawn5493 Рік тому +2

    What passes for art is astounding to me. It appears that the less effort is expended makes for better art. I remember the 60 Minutes piece on a collector who had a short length of rope tacked to his wall. That was an art installation.

    • @timwatley4793
      @timwatley4793 Рік тому +3

      Why are you here then? It doesn't sound like you're interested in this kinda stuff

  • @JJONNYREPP
    @JJONNYREPP Рік тому +2

    The Dada drawing that was a "light switch" for Ed Ruscha 1659PM 6.9.23 it was xmas tide and the light switch struck out the room light... and lo!!! gold Frankenstein and grrr was proffered... an audience with the pope was attempted, no doubt. seems he lies in Twickenham, though.

    • @avidadolares
      @avidadolares Рік тому

      Contrived Rick Mayall references. Dont try so hard.

  • @145inA
    @145inA Рік тому

    Nice watch.

  • @mikekazz5353
    @mikekazz5353 Рік тому

    by the name of the title I thought it was a diagram of an electrical current for a light switch just in a fun way.

  • @express375
    @express375 Рік тому +3

    elderly gentleman discribes what he like about a picture of beetles, it don't get better than that

  • @DQ2121
    @DQ2121 11 місяців тому

    It is a cool drawing

  • @coryecker2170
    @coryecker2170 Рік тому

    "I think about it a lot"

  • @almost_asterisk
    @almost_asterisk 11 місяців тому

    love this 🩷 i think of this kind of stuff as art for artists--weird pieces and passages that make you think, WHY would they do that, WHAT were they thinking?! It's fascinating, mysterious and maze-like and it gives other artists the opportunity to ponder someone else's creative choices 🌞👍

  • @romikim4548
    @romikim4548 Рік тому

    Interesting!

  • @jbltube2881
    @jbltube2881 9 місяців тому

    Anyone know what watch mr Ruscha is wearing? Thanks!

  • @joeswampdawghenry
    @joeswampdawghenry Рік тому

    I will be in the Guggenheim next year

  • @joannaberry2967
    @joannaberry2967 Рік тому

    What book is he looking at? I looked for a citation and couldn't find one.

  • @tomyocom5886
    @tomyocom5886 Рік тому

    It is a self portrait

  • @dialandkbsecobeautyart
    @dialandkbsecobeautyart Рік тому +1

    Good job god jobs

  • @williamwoody7607
    @williamwoody7607 11 місяців тому

    Ugh when I was stationed in Philadelphia in the late 70’s the AAA gallery had a Ruscha print of ants printed in maple syrup on birch veneer for $200 and I just couldn’t afford it. I really hate being reminded of it.

  • @erikmaldre
    @erikmaldre Рік тому

    Oh Ed, you crazy cuckoo. Keep on keeping on.

  • @readthetype
    @readthetype Рік тому

    Is this a bizarre Matrix experiment? What’s going on with this guy’s eyes and face? Are we _supposed_ to be able to tell it’s not real? I’m starting to get scared.

  • @plumeretbonnet
    @plumeretbonnet 8 місяців тому

  • @kristine8338
    @kristine8338 Рік тому +1

    Paul Van Ostayen.

  • @iCE2sKY
    @iCE2sKY Рік тому

    He looks like Thor Heyerdahl, ha ha

  • @m-tetsuo
    @m-tetsuo 11 місяців тому

    No way I've been pronouncing his name wrong all my life...

  • @christopherj3121
    @christopherj3121 Рік тому +2

    Pretension writ large.

  • @unkleskratch
    @unkleskratch Рік тому

    looks like Grigor Mendels genetics experiments with fruit flies.

  • @Pose005
    @Pose005 Рік тому +1

    Tf is that

  • @SP-ny1fk
    @SP-ny1fk Рік тому

    In Postmodernism, everyone is an artist.

    • @aallerton
      @aallerton 10 місяців тому

      Well, it's not that simple.

  • @JavaScripting64
    @JavaScripting64 11 місяців тому

    This is so silly

  • @vintagepipesnightmares
    @vintagepipesnightmares Рік тому +1

    You can call anytime art in modern era. Just frame anything and call it …… art

  • @seanwelch71
    @seanwelch71 Рік тому +1

    I love comics and story illustrators, and I keep coming back to two that I find myself examining more than others: @alexross @steveepting