What’s Going On?

THE DIARY 07: THE RUBELL MUSEUM

Installation view of “What’s Going On” exhibition in the Rubell Museum - via the DCist

The Rubell Museum, the distinguished Miami cultural institution that is home to the large and very impressive collection of contemporary art of Don and Mera Rubell, opened its new outpost in Washington, DC last October, and it did it with an ambitious show titled, “What’s Going On,” after the 1971 hit song by Marvin Gaye. The exhibit looks to respond, “to pressing social and political issues that continue to affect society today,” – say Museum officials - through 190 art pieces created by 50 artists, including Natalie Ball, Rashid Johnson, Richard Prince, Sylvia Snowden, Hank Willis Thomas, Carrie Mae Weems, Kehinde Wiley, Kennedy Yanko, and Cajsa von Zeipel, among many others.

“Untitled (Against All Odds)” by Keith Haring via the Rubell Museum

Leading the show is Keith Haring’s Untitled (Against All Odds), 1989, a series of 20 drawings on linen paper depicting a dystopia that demonstrates the late artist’s concern with environmental destruction, oppression, and illness. In a handwritten inscription accompanying the drawings, Haring talks about the influence of Gaye’s song, a groovy reflection on social justice and inequality. Against All Odds was dedicated by the pop art icon to Steve Rubell, brother of Ron and owner of Studio 54, who died of AIDS in 1989. Haring died just a year later, also from AIDS.

The DC Rubell Museum is installed in the former auditorium, classrooms, and teachers’ offices of the historic Randall Junior High School building. This historic setting went through a $20 Million renovation and is the Rubell Family’s hope that it will be:

“a perfect place to explore the ways artists can teach us about our world.”

The Rubell by Keely Bastow via the Washingtonian

Installation view of, “What’s Going On,” work by Christopher Myers. Courtesy of Chi Lam

“Mama Bush II, Keep the Home Fire Burnin’ ,2006” by Mickalene Thomas via the Rubell Museum

“Sleep” by Kehinde Wiley, 2008 via the Rubell Museum

Hank Willis Thomas, from the “Unbranded Series B, A Natural Explosion! Afro Sheen® Blowout Creme Relaxer (1973/2007)” via the Rubell Museum

John Miller’s, “A Refusal to Accept Limits, 2007” via the Rubell Museum

Installation view of, “What’s Going On,” featuring works by Gary Simmons, Leonardo Drew, and Natalie Ball. Courtesy of Chi Lam