A Moment in Time stands as a testament to OCMA’s unwavering support of contemporary artists and our commitment to the research and preservation of art. Comprising over 4,500 works of art, OCMA’s permanent collection focuses on art created during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Since its inception, OCMA’s commitment has been both to artists with ties to California and to engaging with renowned national and global voices. Our collection reflects both our exhibition history, functioning like an “autobiography”, and our longstanding interest in presenting and preserving the most important work of our time.

 

Every two months, the museum will select and present a single artwork or artworks from a single artist from the collection, spanning over six decades of OCMA’s history. Each rotation in the series encapsulates a crucial moment in the museum’s collecting journey, revealing revolutions of art practice across decades. Through the lens of art, we weave a narrative that both reflects our evolving perspectives of contemporary art, while offering a snapshot of art’s role as a mirror to our changing world. We are so happy to share the journey through art with you.

 

1960s: Billy Al Bengston

1970s: Chris Burden

1980s: Ed Ruscha

1990s: Charles Gaines

2000s: Doug Aitken

2010s: Marlo Pascual

2020s: Amani Lewis

 

A Moment in Time is organized by Assistant Curator Ziying Duan, with Chief Curator Courtenay Finn, Collections and Exhibitions Director Amanda Seadler, Installation Director Albert Lopez, and Head Preparator Philipp Hube, with support from the entire OCMA staff.