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This Summer, visit the renovated Hammer Museum and discover three artworks displayed over new spaces.

“Hammer Projects” – Chiharu Shiota

Chiharu Shiota ebbed the remodeled museum’s lobby with lines of red yarn. At first, it appears like an invasive and tentacular web or fungus. Then, it feels like being inside a human body with giant veins.

Born in Japan and based in Berlin, the artist played with the invisible line that connects people. Indeed, “according to Japanese mythology, an invisible red thread tied to a baby’s finger at birth binds them to a network of people who will play significant roles in their life” *

*[Source: Hammer Museum].

This artwork refers to connections between the museum, artists, and visitors.

On view from March 26, 2023 – August 27, 2023.

Oracle (2021) – Sanford Biggers

A twenty-five-foot bronze sculpture stood over the Hammer Museum’s new terrace (Wilshire Boulevard and Glendon Avenue). Oracle is part of artist Sanford Biggers’ project: the “Chimera” series.

Raised in L.A., the New York-based artist mixed Greek and African histories. The seated body is a reference to the statue of Zeus in the Olympia. The head is inspired by African masks, especially from the Maasai (Kenya and Tanzania) and the Luba (Congo) art.  

Sanford challenges our cultural and aesthetic perceptions questioning the myth of whiteness for Greco-Roman sculptures and blackness for African ones [researchers found that European and African artworks were painted and colorful].

On view from March 26, 2023 – Ongoing

Particulates (2017) – Rita McBride

Initially presented in New York in 2017, this artwork is the third iteration of Particulates. Rita McBride “is inspired by time travel, the principles of light and space, and quantum physics.” [Source: Hammer Museum].  

Located in a former bank (the newly annexed gallery), she uses elements from this room –  dust and mist – to layer laser lights. The installation invokes surface, space, and verticality.

At night, this artwork can be seen from the street.

On view from March 26, 2023 – Ongoing

Article based on my visit in April 2023

Ready to explore these artworks?

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Tips:

• Location: Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
• Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Tuesday – Sunday. Closed on Mondays
• Admission: Free
• Parking: $8.00 with museum validation (first 3 hours, then $3.00 for each additional 20 minutes)
• More information at https://hammer.ucla.edu/

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