#USA #Los Angeles #MOCA #MONUMENTS #Wael Shawky

MOCA Unveils 2025 Exhibition Schedule

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles has announced an exciting lineup for its 2025 exhibition season, which promises to deepen the conversation around contemporary art and its cultural significance. The highlights include significant exhibitions such as MONUMENTS, which will present a juxtaposition of decommissioned Confederate statues with contemporary artworks that challenge our understanding of history and its remnants. Additionally, visitors can look forward to the MOCA Focus: Takako Yamaguchi, marking the artist's first solo exhibition in Los Angeles, showcasing her intricate and colorful paintings.

A Diverse Program of Exhibitions

MOCA's 2025 offerings are described as a vibrant mix of narratives that address pressing social issues while also celebrating individual creativity. The season’s major exhibitions include:

1. Diary of Flowers: Artists and Their Worlds (March 2, 2025 – January 4, 2026)
This exhibition features over 80 artworks from MOCA's distinguished collection, focusing on how artists create personal and imaginative networks. It explores the intersections of emotion, community, and artistic expression, providing insight into the intimate worlds of various artists.

2. Tracing Performance: Fictions of Display (June 29, 2025 – March 1, 2026)
This exhibit highlights the intricate relationships between objects, performance, and theater through a selection of works from the permanent collection. Featuring pieces that have not previously been exhibited, it invites audiences to rethink the concepts of display and interaction.

3. Wael Shawky: Drama 1882 (February 20 – March 16, 2025)
Shawky’s acclaimed film installation, which debuted at the Venice Biennale, will have its U.S. premiere at MOCA Geffen. This visually striking work blends theatrical convention with historical narrative, unearthing the layers of colonial history and its impact on contemporary society.

4. MONUMENTS (October 23, 2025 – May 24, 2026)
A defining exhibition of MOCA's 2025 schedule, MONUMENTS invites viewers to grapple with the legacies of Confederate symbols through a powerful lens of contemporary art. It aims to foster a dialogue regarding the ongoing significance and re-evaluation of these monuments in today’s cultural landscape.

Insights from MOCA Leaders

Johanna Burton, MOCA's Executive Director, commented on this innovative season by stating, "In 2025, we continue building on MOCA's incredible legacy of presenting exhibitions that speak directly to the present moment while drawing from history in deeply resonant ways." Clara Kim, Chief Curator, added, "Our 2025 exhibitions demonstrate the extraordinary range of expressions in contemporary art... These exhibitions challenge and inspire us to rethink and re-imagine our relationship to time, place, and culture."

Additional Noteworthy Events

Before the 2025 schedule kicks off, MOCA will conclude its current presentation of Josh Kline: Climate Change on January 5, 2025, providing a striking commentary on the climate crisis. This immersive exhibition is a part of MOCA's broader commitment to engage audiences in pressing issues through art.

Furthermore, the season will also feature Ordinary People: Photorealism and the Work of Art since 1968, along with MOCA Focus: Ana Segovia. These programs reinforce MOCA’s role in showcasing the evolution of art and its relevance in contemporary discourse.

As MOCA prepares for this exciting year ahead, it remains dedicated to enriching cultural conversations and offering transformative experiences through contemporary art. The museum’s commitment to providing a platform for diverse artistic voices ensures that visitors can engage meaningfully with the challenges and innovations that define our time. Whether through large-scale thematic explorations or intimate solo presentations, MOCA’s 2025 exhibitions promise to illuminate the complexities of art and society, inviting critical reflection and dialogue from all who enter its doors.