At Wadsworth Atheneum

HARTFORD — As a sequel to the widely appreciated exhibition “Picasso to Pop,” the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is presenting “Pop to the Present: New Questions, New Responses” through November 9.

“Pop to the Present” features painting, sculpture, collage, prints, installations, and photography from the Atheneum’s permanent collection of contemporary art. Ida Applebroog, Jasper Johns, Ana Mendieta, Adrian Piper, Ed Ruscha, Robert Ryman, Tony Smith and Andy Warhol are among the approximately 40 artists represented. 

These mavericks of the 1960s into the present day have questioned the modes and meanings of art. “Pop to the Present” mirrors the gamut of experimentation and innovation in recent art history, as well as the ferment of inquiries: What is art and what can it do? What are the merits of pure formal art and those of representational art? Is art non-political or might it address issues of race, war, and gender? Above all, what is the relationship between the art object and the viewer?

“Pop to the Present” was organized by guest curator John Paoletti, professor of art history and William R. Kenan Professor of the Humanities at Wesleyan University. Dr Paoletti was assisted by three Wesleyan majors in the history of art — Matthew Alie, Noah Hutton, and Sarah Leonard.

The museum has planned a number of programs related to the exhibition:

*Daytime Gallery Talks and Tours, as follows: docent-led exhibition tours will be offered Fridays, March 7, 14, 21 and 28; on Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26; and Sundays, May 4, 11, 18 and 25, all starting at 1 pm.

*Also a gallery talk with co-curator Noah Hutton will be offered Friday, March 28, at noon.

The Wadsworth Atheneum is located at 600 Main Street, Hartford. For further information about this and other exhibitions and programs, visit WadsworthAtheneum.org or call 860-278-2670.