Nancy Popp in Hyperallergic 6.1.17
The California-Pacific Triennial Spotlights Architecture’s Power Dynamics
The Orange County Museum of Art’s second triennial of artists from the Pacific Rim, Building as Ever, focuses on architecture and related social issues like displacement and globalization
Over the past couple of decades, biennials and triennials have become ubiquitous staples of the contemporary art world. Most biennials take either a regional approach, presenting the best work from one locale, or a global approach, assembling highlights from around the world. The California-Pacific Triennial, organized by the Orange County Museum of Art, adopts something of a hybrid model, situating artists from California alongside those from several countries along the Pacific Rim.
Curated by Cassandra Coblentz, the Triennial’s second edition, titled Building as Ever, features 25 artists from 11 countries across Asia and North and South America who explore architecture and associated issues such as displacement, preservation, and globalization. Featured works range from drawing, sculpture, photography, and installation, to film and performance-based works that will take place throughout the exhibition’s run. The triennial opens on Saturday, May 6, with a collaborative sound performance by Australian duo Super Critical Mass at 1pm, followed by a conversation at 2pm with the curator and participating artists Santiago Borja, Cedric Bomford, Leyla Cardenas, Cesar Cornejo, Yuki Kimura, Pilar Quinteros, and Trong Gia Nguyen.