The Torrance Art Museum recently hosted an exhibition titled “DEFENDING ETHICAL INTEGRITY (D.E.I.): The New Degenerate Art,” which showcased powerful and thought-provoking works that challenged viewers to confront difficult realities. In a time when art can serve as a means of escape or inspiration, this exhibition dared to delve into uncomfortable territory and demand attention to pressing social issues.
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition was Elana Mann’s video work titled “Call to Arms” (2015–25). Accompanied by her arm-shaped acoustic sculptures, the video featured performers using the sculpted limbs as amplifiers for their voices, symbolizing the power of dissent and resistance against attempts to silence marginalized voices. This immersive experience set the tone for the rest of the exhibition, inviting viewers to engage with uncomfortable truths.
Another striking installation was the collaborative sculpture by Art Made Between Opposite Sides (AMBOS) titled “Con Nuestros Manos Construimos Deidades (With Our Hands We Build Deities)” (2023). The towering sculpture featured ceramic hands hanging from colorful cords, adorned with embroidered patches carrying powerful messages. This piece highlighted the beauty and strength of collective action and solidarity in the face of adversity.
The exhibition also featured works that challenged traditional notions of beauty and perfection. Polly Borland’s sculptures depicted bodies that defied societal standards, showcasing the beauty in imperfection and diversity. Patrick Martinez and Jay Lynn Gomez’s piece “Labor of Love” (2022) honored the often overlooked laborers who maintain our cities, reminding viewers of the humanity behind the scenes.
Hugo Crosthwaite’s stop-motion animation “A HOME FOR THE BRAVE” (2020) was a poignant reflection on the harsh realities faced by migrants, particularly women and children, in the face of state violence. The film depicted the brutal consequences of oppressive policies and the dehumanization of vulnerable populations.
Steven Wolkoff’s installation, featuring medicinal vials filled with ashes of banned books, was a powerful commentary on censorship and the suppression of knowledge. The piece served as a reminder of the importance of preserving diverse perspectives and challenging oppressive systems.
As visitors navigated through the exhibition, they were confronted with a range of emotions, from rage to passion to empathy. Each work told a unique story and invited viewers to engage in critical reflection on pressing social issues. The exhibition served as a powerful reminder of the role art can play in sparking dialogue, promoting empathy, and advocating for social change.
“DEFENDING ETHICAL INTEGRITY: the new Degenerate Art” was a captivating and thought-provoking exhibition that challenged viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and engage with pressing social issues. Through a diverse range of works, the exhibition highlighted the power of art to inspire change, provoke thought, and promote empathy. This exhibition was a testament to the importance of making “degenerate” art that refuses neutrality and confronts injustice.
