One of the best things about holidays and living in New York is finally having the time to check out the amazing resources the city has to offer. Last week on my days off I made it uptown to the MOMA and finally got around to seeing Pipilotti Rist’s installation ‘Pour Your Body Out’. I had huge hopes for it after seeing clips of it and pictures online weeks before. When I got there it was really crowded (I guess we all had the same intentions) and all the cozy spots in the center circle were taken! My first impression was totally let down, but then I found a corner spot and just sat there for a long time watching her projections float across the walls and the lights go from red to blue and all variations in between. The images were of roses, and succulent fruits being picked by hands reaching down at you. (see video here)
I quickly relaxed and began to really enjoy this installation. People were urged to remove their shoes and ‘make new friends’ upon entering the exhibit. Adding to the atmosphere were deep moaning sounds that intentionally imitated under-water noises, it was too blissful.
On top of all this, Pipilotti Rist not only changed my experience and mood, but she also turned the austere, white, masculine interior of the MOMA into a dark red, warm womb. Absolutely necessary on a frightfully cold day, and pretty incredible when you think about the majority of museum shows. Exhibition runs until February 2nd, it is not to be missed.
