Review New ICA exhibit is innovative, eclectic

"Devil on the Stairs -- Looking Back on the Eighties," which opened at the Institute of Contemporary Art last week, features an eclectic collection of modern works presented in an original manner. The exhibit, curated by Robert Storr of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, takes an innovative approach in examining the art of the past decade. The works are arranged according to themes, such as Words and History Lessons, rather than chronology. This unusual format has been well executed by Storr and the staff of ICA. Although the works are grouped by theme, they are positioned in such a way that it is not difficult for viewers to view several topics at the same time and see new relationships between different works. The exhibit's innovative approach also includes very little description along with each piece. While the curator said he felt that this would allow the viewer more freedom in viewing the exhibit, it can cause some confusion. The viewer is immediately immersed in the exhibit upon entering the museum. The first piece is a free-floating exhibit by Joseph Beuys, which presents a voice repeating, "Yes, yes, yes, no, no, no" in German. These conflicting signals are meant to represent the confusion of the art of the 80's, according to ICA spokesperson Betsey Hansell. It can also be seen as echoing the confusion of someone who is new to the world of the modern art exhibit. In the Words section, there is a piece by Tim Rollins + K.O.S. -- Kids Of Survival -- titled "Ignorance is Strength", which is a series of children's paintings which have been done on loose pages of George Orwell's 1984. Jenny Holzer's and Keith Haring's works, two of the more famous artists of the 1980's, are in this section as well. The staircase from the first to the second floor of the exhibit is a memorial wall, adorned with the names of members of the art community who have died of AIDS. Two particularly interesting works are Nancy Spero's ceiling paintings, which can be viewed from many sections of the exhibition, and John Ahearn's plaster casts of South Bronx residents in the Social Studies cluster. While modern art can sometimes be intimidating to the untrained eye, most students can come away with some appreciation of the work. "Devil on the Stairs" will run until January 5.

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