Installation view: Danh Vo: Take My Breath Away, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, February 9, 2018–May 9, 2018. Photo: David Heald

The Guggenheim Museum has a very interesting exhibit until May 9th, “Danh Vo:  Take My Breath Away”, a view of Vo’s production of the past 15 years.   Vo was born in Viet Nam and emigrated to Denmark as a child.  He dissects the power structures and cultural forces that shape our world experience.  He addresses themes of religion, colonialism, capitalism and artistic authorship but seen through intimate personal narratives—what the artist calls “the tiny diasporas of a person’s life”.

Objects absorbed into the work are frequently charged by knowledge of their former ownership or status as historical pieces.  So you find thank you notes from Henry Kissinger, personal pieces that belonged to former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara.  There are personal things from important and ordinary people making the exhibit come alive.  I think you would really enjoy this.

Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a boutique publicity agency in Manhattan.  She may be reached at silverbergm@mindspring.com