Art being produced right now is contemporary art, but what is it one hundred years from now, does it stay contemporary or does it get a different name?

The exhibit “Fast Forward: Modern Moments 1913 >> 2013” examines this question and takes a retrospective look.

Historian Ernest Gombrich in his book A Little History of the World – uses a series of metaphors to help think of the past, he begins with the key word of all good stories “once upon a time…”, a hall of mirrors, a bottomless well, a faraway journey, and a joyous return home.  Even though he emphasizes the importance of the narrative, he notes that history is a continues journey, that “Behind every ‘Once upon a time… there is always another… And so it goes, further and further back.”

Keeping that concept of “once upon a time”, the moment of the beginning is really arbitrary to the story; it is a mere stopping point to the continual evolutions.

In “Fast Forward: Modern Moments 1913 >> 2013” the High Museum has broken down the last 100 years into silos of evolving  “once up a time” with a window to the past and the future.  The slices of time are 1913, 1929, 1950, 1961, 1988, and 2013.  With 164 works of art from 105 artists creating during the last 100 years it is fascinating peek into the continual artist language.

From the cubist, to the expressionist, to pop art, the examination takes a fun look at the dialogue with the work and influences.  One period starts and another one ends and so on.

This exhibit has iconic works from each representing year, including:

1913: Umberto Boccioni’s Futuristic sculpture “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space”

1929: Salvador Dali’s Surrealist painting “Illumined Pleasures”

1950: William de Kooning’s landmark of Abstract Expressionism, “Woman, I”

1961: Roy Lichenstein’s Pop art masterpiece “Girl with Ball”

1988: Jeff Koon’s famed porcelain sculpture “Pink Panther”

Today’s contemporary artist Sarah Sze has created a site-specific installation for the High.  Sze will represent the United States in the 2013 Venice Biennale and this a very special opportunity to see her work.

Aaron Curry debuts three new works, monumental, polychrome steel sculptures titled “Boo”, “Thing”, and “Deadhead”- which are on displayed on the lawn of the High.

At a preview sneak peek, artist and MacArthur Genius Fellow Sze shared that this installation is composed of common everyday items.  She took a page from Andy Warhol who was also fascinated how objects are used equally by everyone.  He noted that even the President of the United States drinks out of the same plastic disposable water bottle as we do.  In her installation you witness objects from water bottles, to her airline ticket, to an eclectic mix of stuff arranged in a way that moves perspective as you walk around it.  (note Sara Sze is to give a lecture at the Rich Theatre at the High Museum on October 18 with the gallery open until 10 PM)

I have explored the exhibit twice and this is rare chance to experience some great works in the same space.  To see Jason Pollock Number 7 and Mark Rothko No. 19 within feet of each other is awesome.

The official kick off celebration is from 8-12 AM on October 13 for a night of Culture Shock: Inspired Pop Ups that will include dancers, actors, and singers with a few surprised happenings all over the museum.

This exhibit runs through January 20, 2013 and is also part of a partnership with the Museum of Modern Art.  On October 29 at 7 PM, Michael Shapiro of the High Museum and Glenn Lowry from the Museum of Modern Art in New York will share two visionary leaders perspective.

This exhibit is fun and is filled with activities and lectures that will enlighten you to the beauty of all modern.

For more information and details visit: www.High.org

Don’t miss out to be one with today’s future once upon a time.

Follow Dr. Wilson Trivino on Twitter @T4Vista