LACMA’s “Moholy- Nagy: Future Present” offers viewers an elegant display of artworks created within the environment of the Russian Revolution

By Kaelie Macaulay

Staff Writer

With a dose of technology, acrylics, figurines and photographs, the newest exhibition of legendary artist László Moholy-Nagy’s work thrills with its immense diversity and pleasing, conceptual design.

LACMA’s “Moholy- Nagy: Future Present” showcases Moholy- Nagy’s creations through an array of diversified mediums. LACMA displays a comprehensive, elegant collection of the multimedia art.

LACMA’s “Moholy- Nagy: Future Present,” opened on Feb. 12, The exhibition is of the work of Moholy-Nagy, including more than 250 pieces from public and private institutions worldwide. It is the first exhibition of the artist’s work in the U.S. in over fifty years.

Moholy-Nagy was a Hungarian painter and photographer who worked primarily in the early 1900s during the Russian Revolution. Moholy-Nagy was highly influenced by artistic constructivism, a desire to express modern life experiences, using qualities of space and time. Artistic constructivism generally aims to demonstrate how certain materials behaved, like wood and glass.

Photos: Opening on February 12, LACMA gathers the work of László Moholy-Nagy to present “Moholy- Nagy: Future Present,” leaving viewers to interpret and enjoy the array of art forms. Featured are a pair of Moholy-Nagy’s print posters, offering saturated colors and a varied style of typography.

Simplistic, monochromatic photographs are strewn throughout the exhibit, contributing to the diversified representation of Moholy-Nagy’s art. Close-up portraits provided a glimpse into life in the early to mid 1900s in the United States. Moholy-Nagy also utilizes naturally-occurring geometric shapes to showcase his mastery of depth.

Moholy-Nagy’s geometric, abstract inspired paintings hypnotize with their meticulously designed lines and shapes. With an assorted color palette ranging from opaque pastels to vivid tones, the abstract paintings capture the essence of Moholy-Nagy’s modernistic style.

A contemporary, large-scale installation called “The Room of the Present” manifests Moholy-Nagy’s belief in the influential force of photographs and the various ways to disperse them. Housed in the room is the “Light Space Modulator,” one of the first kinetic energy sculptures that beautifully captures Moholy-Nagy’s experimentation and interest in technology and light.

LACMA’s “Moholy-Nagy: Future Present,” opened on February 12, showcases the various styles and genres of László Moholy-Nagy’s art. Above is a portrayal of Moholy-Nagy’s exquisite talent and the general layout of the exhibit itself. Video by Kaelie Macaulay.

Amidst the alluring photography, projected images on the walls of the gallery add to Moholy-Nagy’s multi-media assortment. The usage of technology honors Moholy-Nagy’s desire to intertwine art and mechanics while adding a zestful, refreshing take on 1900’s art.

Among Moholy-Nagy’s printed artwork are warped, yet smooth figures of glass that illustrate his influence of constructivism. These figurines awe with the subtle inclusion of acrylics and various metals like nickel. The combination of the reflective glass and the beaming spotlight produces a multi-dimensional display.

“Moholy-Nagy: Future Present” is a stellar portrayal of Moholy-Nagy’s exquisite talent and knowledge of art and the world around him. LACMA compiled a well-thought out exhibit with varied mediums, maintaining fascination.

“Moholy-Nagy: Future Present” is available for viewing for free at LACMA, located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles, until June 18.