OCMA (Orange County Museum of Art)

Exploring strategies of renewal, accumulation, and repetition, Start, Start Again pairs two works from OCMA’s permanent collection—Richard Jackson’s 100 Drawings (1978), a series of works on paper, with Charles Long’s participatory installation 100 lbs. of Clay (2001). Jackson’s unconventional approach to painting, influenced by his engineering background, humorously examines the intersection of labor and the history of painting, proposing the notion of artworks as fleeting performances in our minds. In contrast, Long focuses on sculptural legacies, combining pop culture, nature, and technology in his work, emphasizing that art is rooted in “making an occasion” for new experiences.

Both Jackson and Long share a profound commitment to the artistic process, embracing ideas of overthrow and restart. Jackson’s 100 Drawings evolve from concepts to performative actions, while Long’s 100 lbs. of Clay invites visitors to collaboratively shape the work over time. Together, their works unveil the creative process as an ongoing cycle of initiation and reinvention, reminding us to recognize the importance of play in the realm of art as a transformative and experiential journey.

Start, Start Again 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.