Synopsis
Artwork by Hans Haacke.
Library Journal
Currently mired in a brouhaha over his Whitney Biennial piece, Haacke may be looking back with affection on this show at Rotterdam's Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in 1996. Haacke was invited not to show his own works but to rehang selections from the permanent collection. More than 200 pieces are grouped into sections titled "Artists," "Reception," "Power/Work," "Alone, Together, Against Each Other," and "Seeing." The juxtaposition of old masters and modern and contemporary works is just one of Haacke's tricks to get the viewer to look at these works in a fresh light. The book may be even more effective than the exhibition in this endeavor, as it allows for cropping to focus on details as well as installation views that emphasize the groupings. An introduction by Haacke touches on political themes and does shed some light on his current piece at the Whitney, though a longer explication of his goals as well as more extensive captions for the pictures would have been welcome. A survey of one museum's holdings as well as a look through the eyes of an underrecognized contemporary artist, this is recommended for larger public and all academic libraries.--Eric Bryant, "Library Journal" Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\