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The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) in Midtown, known for its adventurous art, catches the eye of The New York Times with its latest exhibit, "99 Cents or Less," which runs through Aug. 6.
New York freelancer Chris Hampton explores the display of works by U.S. artists who use items that cost 99 cents or less:
Like the aisles of a discount shop, the gallery space is overstocked. The goods on view appear familiar, too: kitchen gadgets, balloons, toys, office supplies, small electronics, and packaging marked by logos, some belonging to familiar brands. Taking on the subject of the 99-cent shop, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, known as MOCAD, has begun to resemble one. And, as if dictated by some retail merchandising strategy, the abundance and jumble of artworks on display is overwhelming.
MOCAD’s summer exhibition, “99 Cents or Less,” asked more than 100 artists based in the United States to make new works from materials purchased only at dollar stores, with a total budget of $99 each. The museum’s senior curator at large, Jens Hoffmann, invited participants to consider the dollar store — and its proliferation since the Great Recession — as an emblem of widening economic inequality, globalization, complex supply chains and rampant consumerism.
His call mentioned its forbears — including Arte Povera, the 1960s and ’70s Italian avant-garde movement that used everyday items as art materials, and Marcel Duchamp’s ready-made sculptures, celebrating their 100th year in 2017 — as historical references. The project gained extra gravity by virtue of its setting, Detroit: The birthplace of mass production and former industrial capital of the country, the city in 2013 also made the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in United States history.
