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| Alejandro Otero, Tablón 32, 1973–1988. LACMA, 2026 Collectors Committee. In "Turmoil and Optimism in Latin America" |
In the midst of the Geffen hoopla, LACMA's Collectors Committee has met for the 40th time. This year museum supporters have purchased three works for the permanent collection, and all are now on view in the Geffen Galleries.
Tablón 32 is from a series of hard-edge abstractions in acrylic lacquer by Venezuelan artist Alejandro Otero (1921–1990). It's a highlight of one of everyone's favorite Geffen rooms, "Turmoil and Optimism in Latin America."
LACMA's Unframed blog is posting on the acquisitions this week.
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| Otero's Tablón 32 as installed, with Julio Le Parc's Mural: Virtual Circles (a gift of the 2013 Collectors Committee) |
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| Tangata Tonga artist, Ngatu (barkcloth), about 1820–1860. Purchased with funds provided by Jennifer and Steven Walske, through the 2026 Collectors Committee. In "Polynesia: 'Our Sea of Islands'" |
This anonymous was a woman, as it seems that all Tongan
ngatu are by female makers. The size and early date of this example are exceptional among American museums.
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| Luis Jiménez, Vaquero, 1978. 2026 Collectors Committee. In "Picturing the American West" |
Luis Jiménez's
Vaquero predates by 12 years the artist's best-known work, the monumental
Vaquero in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It's cast fiberglass and automotive paint with epoxy coating.
Comments
> for the permanent
> collection
Seems like they've acquired more pieces in the past. I wonder how much of that is because staffers have been so working around the clock to get the Geffen prepped, they've had less time to see what's being auctioned or offered for sale?
A cursory search of their online collections didn't show a lot of obvious pieces that right now should be quickly hauled out of storage and put on display, particularly sculptures---other than in the Indian/Southeast Asian category. They'd be ideal for the perimeter. So I don't know how much of the current more-space-than-objects look of the Geffen will be resolved (if ever?) in the next year or so.