Regarded as one of the 20 th century’s most important and mind-bendingly influential artists, Man Ray was a painter, avant-garde photographer, sculptor and pal of Salvador Dalí. An exhibit of his work, Man Ray, African Art and the Modernist Lens, makes its only stop west of the Potomac River here in Albuquerque at the UNM Art Museum beginning Feb. 5.UNM Art Museum curator Sara Otto-Diniz says that while the museum’s mission is to "educate about and through art in all its exhibitions," this show provides a "particularly thought-provoking thesis." Curated by Wendy Grossman, it is the result of 12 years of scholarship and research. "She provides fresh insight into Man Ray’s photographic practice," Otto-Diniz writes in an e-mail to the Weekly Alibi , "while raising questions concerning the representation, reception and perception of African art as mediated by the camera lens." Photographs are positioned next to the objects the images have captured, providing the viewer with an exciting insight into the art form of photography.Making up the show are rare works from collections all over the world, including from Paris’ Centre Pompidou and the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. It’s a coup not to be missed.
Man Ray, African Art and the Modernist Lens UNM Art Museum Opening reception Friday, Feb. 5, 5 to 7 p.m.Show runs through May 30For a schedule of speakers and events related to this exhibit, go to unm.edu/~artmuse/events.html
