SAN ANTONIO, TX.- Opening March 4, Limitless! Five Women Reshape Contemporary Art, presented by Bank of America, features the artwork of individuals who create without boundaries. The new exhibition offers trailblazing installations in diverse mediums by female artists Martine Gutierrez, Letitia Huckaby, Yayoi Kusama, Sandy Skoglund, and Jennifer Steinkamp. From floor-to-ceiling art and video installations to a fan-favorite Infinity Mirror Room, this multigenerational and multicultural group of artists demonstrates boundless creativity and serves as inspiration to their contemporaries and future generations.
The McNay is San Antonios place of beauty and belonging because of the vision of a woman artist, said Richard Aste, McNay Director and CEO. The five women celebrated here this season bring Marion Koogler McNays founding commitment to excellence, community, and equity deeper into the 21st century.
Letitia Huckabys wall installation, titled Koinonia, in the McNays AT&T Lobby initiates the groundbreaking exhibition experience with the artists haunting imagery. Huckaby was a recent Artist-In-Residence at San Antonios Artpace, and is the only Texas based artist included in the exhibition. Martine Gutierrezs four fanciful videos explore the intersections of film, fashion, and music, and are presented in a club-like setting that echoes the stylish character of the videos. Sandy Skoglunds whimsical The Cocktail Party, from the McNay Collection, is paired with the newest installation by the artist, titled Winter. Jennifer Steinkamps mesmerizing video, Botanic 3, also from the McNays Collection, and X-Ray Eyes, appear as swirling, wall-sized animations. Finally, Kusamas fantastical pumpkin-filled Infinity Mirror Room invites visitors to enter the space and become part of the art.
Each of these artists has carved out a path for her creative vision, rather than conforming to overriding art trends, said René Paul Barilleaux, Head of Curatorial Affairs. The artwork on view reflects the dynamic and dramatic shifts occurring in the visual arts over the past several decades, defying categorization and reminding us of the truly limitless possibilities contemporary art embodies.
Yayoi Kusamas All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins is on loan to the McNay from the Dallas Museum of Art. This installation is the first Infinity Mirror Room featuring pumpkins created by Kusama since 1991, and the only one of its kind in a North American collection. All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins focuses the reflective chamber on a series of acrylic yellow gourds covered in black polka dots, one of Kusamas frequently used motifs.
Timed tickets for the Infinity Mirror Room are required for all visitors, including McNay Members. Up to two guests are allowed in the room at a time for a period of 45 seconds, and masks must be worn at all times. A McNay Security Team member will open and close the door to the entrance, allowing for a touch-free experience for guests. A digital reservation system will bring visitors to the line within 15 minutes of their turn to help reduce wait time and adhere to 6-foot physical distancing protocols. Guests can purchase tickets online at mcnayart.org, or inperson at the Museum Front Desk.
Through the use of innovative technology, engagement experiences throughout the exhibition are designed to be touch-free while still amplifying the immersive nature of each artwork. Visitors can enjoy a text bot that delivers artist-focused content to mobile devices, a floral wall photo-op, an in-exhibition dance challenge, and a suite of custom Instagram filters offering playful surprises on-site and at home.
Limitless! Five Women Reshape Contemporary Art is organized for the McNay Art Museum by René Paul Barilleaux, Head of Curatorial Affairs, with Lauren Thompson, Assistant Curator. The exhibition is on view at the McNay from March 4 to September 19, 2021.