Although Barbara Kruger’s text-focused art has long appeared in museums and galleries, the artist has also deliberately placed her work in unexpected, in-your-face locations including buses, billboards, skateboards, metrocards, and magazine covers.
These applications have broadened the reach of her messages, many of which contain confrontational questions.
View this post on Instagram#BarbaraKruger #Untitled #Questions3 #TheICALA #FriezeLA // #ZhangRuy #Bonsai #FrancoisGhebaly // #TauLewis #Rover #NightGallery
Throughout her career, Kruger has named many pieces “Untitled (Questions),” each partially distinguished through numbering and the year of production.
Her new “Untitled (Questions 3)” work was commissioned for the 2019 Frieze Projects portion of Frieze Los Angeles. The piece, which is more like a street art series, features 20 stickers adhered to the path from the Frieze LA tent to its backlot. These questions re-contextualize language from earlier Kruger works and range from “Who will write the history of tears?” and “Are there animals in heaven?” to “Is there life without pain?”
View this post on Instagram#BarbaraKruger Untitled (Questions 3) is presented on sidewalks at art organizations around Los Angeles as part of #FriezeProjects #FriezeLA @18thstreetarts @artandpractice @theicala @welcometolace @laxart @themistakeroom @marcianoartfoundation
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Interestingly, these stickers are not limited to the fair’s location at Paramount Studios. They are also placed in and around the following Los Angeles arts organizations: 18th St. Arts Center, Sprüth Magers, Art + Practice, ICA Los Angeles, LACE, LAXART, Marciano Art Foundation, and The Mistake Room.
Kruger’s famous Untitled (Questions) billboard, resembling the American flag, has also been re-installed outside of MOCA Los Angeles through November 2020. Originally displayed at the institution in 1990, the work asks nine questions relating to politics and personal freedom.
View this post on Instagramwould go see it up close of these days, so why not make it on Valentine’s Day when it’s raining. In all seriousness, it’s very impactful up close. Also, every Thursday from 5-8pm admission is very at The Geffen Contemporary at @moca. So it was a great thing to do inbetween dinner tonight with @aaronlindquist.✨ #designlivin
The inaugural Frieze Los Angeles fair is happening from February 15 – 17, 2019 at Paramount Pictures Studios. Find out more here.
