It’s just a basketball???

review by Jack Duggan

            The MassMoca museum is an extraordinary place to visit for anyone who enjoys art.  There are multiple different exhibits which all have very interesting pieces.  The building its-self is the main reason this museum is so interesting.  The building was originally a factory that was converted into a museum.  Much of the original building remains, the old bricks and pipes can all be seen when walking around.  This does not make the museum feel dirty or unprofessional.  Rather it gives off a unique antique vibe.  One thing about this museum that is so great, is the variety off art that can be seen.  Around each corner a looms a new kind of art. 

            One piece that was particularly fascinating, was a blown glass sculpture by Chris Taylor. The sculpture is supposed to resemble a deflated basketball. However, the sculpture blown glass, does much more than that. At first glance, the sculpture is undistinguishable from a real basketball.  The detail that went into this piece is mesmerizing.  Even the small grip on a real basketball can be seen recreated on this piece.  At first, this piece may seem underwhelming, but in an odd sense, that is what makes it so incredible. This piece looks so identical to a real basketball, one might even dismiss it without even learning it is made of glass. 

            Another incredible piece was Wall Drawing 19 by Sol LeWitt.  There was abundance of wall drawings at MASSMoca, however almost every one of them offer a new aspect of the artist’s intentions.  This piece may seem very simple at first, even silly.  However, once you go up close you can see all the detail that went into the piece.  An uncountable amount of thin lines stretch across the wall to form the piece.  The effort that must have gone into this piece is unimaginable.  The focus and attention space needed to complete a drawing such as this one is very impressive.  I think that speaks numbers about the piece its-self.  It represents what we can accomplish when we truly put our minds to something without giving up.

            Personally, I found that there was almost no limit of exploration at the MASSMoca museum.  Each exhibit offered something to be seen, and many pieces were open to the viewer’s interpretation.  The art in the museum and the building its-self allows for an experience not found in many other places.  I strongly recommend anyone who enjoys art to immerse themselves in that experience.