Last week we went to the exhibition of Detroit Techno pioneer and artist Carl Craig at MoCA in Los Angeles. The show is called “Party/After-Party” and if you’re in L.A. definitely go see it and bask in Craig’s glorious installation that is a minimalist, architectural light-show experience soundtracked with his own original contemporary techno music.
The sound system set-up in MoCA’s massive Geffen Contemporary in L.A.’s Little Tokyo was specifically designed for the exhibition space and Craig’s installation. The looped audio program alternates between minimalist, ambient music and heavy pulsing beats. While the visual program transitions between a sparse but strategically placed array artificial light sources, which turn on and off and change color depending on the music, and natural light that washes over the space through a series of skylight doors that open and close at intervals. At times the space is either entirely, eerily dark or bright and sober as daytime. (See the videos on YouTube or below at the very bottom of this post!)
The experience is like being at a huge warehouse rave where all but a half dozen people have mysteriously disappeared. No sweaty throng, no bar, no DJs. Call it a “ghost rave.” Meanwhile the music fills the massive gallery but seems to subtly change as you move around the space. Stand in one corner of the art installation and you hear bass and synth sounds you didn’t hear when you stood in the middle of it.
Carl Craig “Party/After-Party” Exhibition 2023 at MOCA Geffen Contemporary L.A., Parts 1, 2 & 3
GLOBAL GRAPHICA 