26 FEBRUARY 2019 By Anthony Wallace The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) opened on Valentine’s Day 1999. The building, previously a movie theater, was transformed by famed architect Will Bruder into the venue for contemporary art that it is today. SMoCA is celebrating its 20th birthday with an exhibition paying homage to its roots. “Now Playing” opens February 16, and will consist entirely of video installations that will occupy all five of the museum’s galleries – all of which, in the building’s previous life, were their own theater. Typically, the museum is segmented into at least three separate exhibitions, so to have one mega exhibition is a big deal. Owing to its longevity, it is easy to take SMoCA for granted. But the fact is, spaces like this are quite rare. According to Director and Chief Curator Jennifer McCabe, the museum is one of the only spaces dedicated strictly to contemporary art in the Southwest U.S. Throughout its history, the museum has been a showcase for local, national and international artists alike. Perhaps this confluence of international and local art is best exhibited in the museum’s courtyard, where a new wall mural by Phoenix-based artist Janel Garza leads to Knight Rise, SMoCA’s sky-framing installation by the internationally acclaimed James Turrell. Despite its advancing age, the facility looks and feels as fresh as ever. McCabe finds this to be a key component of the museum’s ethos. “I think it was very visionary to establish a museum of contemporary art here just adjacent to Old Town Scottsdale,” McCabe said. “The idea that Scottsdale was rooted in its history, the West, cowboys and all that, and that it could be at the same time very forward-looking, I think that’s something to be very proud of.” The galleries will feature video installations produced during SMoCA’s 20-year lifetime. The exhibition is bookended by two fully immersive works, each with their own dedicated gallery. The first, Love Story , by South African artist Candice Breitz, was created in 2016. It features interviews with real life refugees who’ve fled various conflict-torn countries. On separate screens, these interviews are performed by actors Julianne Moore and Alec Baldwin, highlighting how our conceptualizing of world events through the eyes of celebrities and fictitious characters can desensitize us to the realities of worldwide suffering. The second debuted in 1998. Turbulent , by Shirin Neshat, is a commentary on her native Iran’s treatment of women as brought to life through musical performances. “Now Playing” will feature video installations of varying lengths, styles and messages. Some are short and visceral, designed to be seen in a passing glance. Others, like Turbulent , are longer and will be furnished with chairs for comfortable viewing. The exhibition is a small-scale version of the whole of SMoCA’s 20-year contribution to Scottsdale: eclectic, captivating, stimulating and fun. McCabe sees the beauty of the museum in its ability to inspire its visitors to shift their perspective and expand their horizons. “That is something magical about contemporary art too, to focus on something that you might otherwise overlook, something that you haven’t thought of before,” McCabe said. “It allows you to take a different vantage point so you can think of things in a fresh way.” For more: smoca.org. SMoCA celebrates 20th birthday with video exhibit Candice Breitz stills from Love Story (2016), featuring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Shabeena Francis Saveri, Sarah Ezzat Mardini, Mamy Maloba Langa, José Maria João, Farah Abdi Mohamed and Luis Ernesto Nava Molero. SMoCA’s new mural by Janel Garza was added in October 2018. PHOTO: CLAIRE A. WARDEN COMMISSIONED BY THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA DUI CLASSES ONLINE! 3200 N Hayden Rd ~ Suite 170 - Just South of Osborn Rd 480.429.9044 SCOTTSDALETREATMENT.COM HOME • OFFICE • TRAVEL ANYWHERE YOU CAN “LOG ON!” ONLINE SERVICES: COURT & MVD MANDATED DUI SCREENINGS SR22 INSURANCE • DUI COURSES 24/7/365 ALCOHOL SCREENINGS, EDUCATION & TREATMENT ARIZONA’S FIRST ONLINE DUI SERVICES Compare our rates. CALL US LAST! Classes available 24/7/365!

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