In the midst of protests against ICE, Geffen Contemporary at MOCA Los Angeles remains shutdown
Protests Against ICE Near MOCA Continue Amidst Closure of Geffen Contemporary Space
Los Angeles, CA - The ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) near the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (MOCA) have continued to dominate the city's landscape, with hundreds of Angelenos participating in demonstrations supporting immigrant communities targeted by ICE raids.
The protests began on Friday and have since become a part of a broader wave of resistance in the city. The atmosphere around ICE operations has caused fear and disruption, leading some local businesses and public spaces to close or see reduced foot traffic. However, there is no clear evidence that these protests have directly disrupted or changed the museum’s day-to-day operations.
The Museum's Grand Avenue building remains open, but its regularly scheduled late-night hours for Thursday have been canceled. The Geffen Contemporary space, which was hosting an Olafur Eliasson show, has closed since Sunday due to ongoing anti-ICE protests nearby.
Nadya Tolokonnikova, a member of the Russian collective Pussy Riot, staged a performance called POLICE STATE at the Geffen Contemporary over the weekend. For the performance, Tolokonnikova turned a part of the space into a prison cell-like environment. The walls of the makeshift cell were lined with art by Russians, Belarusians, and Americans who were previously incarcerated.
Tolokonnikova has expressed her intention to join protests on the streets this Saturday, as stated on MOCA's Instagram post. However, the durational performance by Tolokonnikova will be postponed, not continuing through Saturday as initially planned.
The area surrounding the museum is under a curfew that begins at 8 p.m., and some protestors have vandalized certain sites, including the facade of MOCA.
The protests have contributed to an atmosphere where activist art and demonstrations are prevalent. One piece that has gained significant attention is MOCA's permanent exhibit, Barbara Kruger's 1990 mural Untitled (Questions). The mural features text reading: "Who is beyond the law? Who is bought and sold? Who is free to choose? Who does the time? Who follows orders? Who salutes longest? Who prays loudest? Who dies first? Who laughs last?"
In a piece published in the Los Angeles Times, Barbara Kruger expressed concerns about the potential for President Trump to declare martial law in response to the protests. The National Guard is facing off with anti-ICE protestors near the museum, and Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard to quell the protests and protect immigration agents, a move that Governor Gavin Newsom deemed "unlawful" in a lawsuit against the President.
The Los Angeles Times ran an article this week on the significance of Untitled (Questions) in relation to the protests, highlighting the mural's continued relevance in today's political climate. As the protests continue, it remains to be seen how they will shape the future of the city and the country.
[1] Los Angeles Times [2] LAist [3] Hyperallergic
- The ongoing protests against ICE near MOCA have garnered attention from news outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, LAist, and Hyperallergic.
- Nadya Tolokonnikova, an artist known for her activism, staged a performance titled 'POLICE STATE' at the Geffen Contemporary museum, which is a part of MOCA, addressing issues of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice.
- As the protests continue, there is a growing interest in contemporary art that addresses policies-and-legislation and politics, with works like Barbara Kruger's 'Untitled (Questions)' gaining renewed relevance.
- The museum's exhibition space, once hosting an Olafur Eliasson show, has been impacted by the protests due to its proximity, but the conversations and performances centered around art continue to be a significant part of the ongoing protests and general news.
