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Exhibition

New Work

Mai-Thu Perret
November 21, 2008–March 1, 2009

For nearly a decade, Swiss artist Mai-Thu Perret has been developing The Crystal Frontier, a fictional account of a group of women who found a small utopian community in the desert of southwestern New Mexico in an attempt to escape the impositions of capitalism. The nonlinear narrative is used as a springboard for Perrets art objects, which draw on a profusion of sources, from Russian avant-garde stage design to Busby Berkeley musicals and Minimalism. This latest installation in her continually expanding project features new sculptures, wallpaper, and a rough-hewn mannequin made of papier-mâché.

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Learn more about the New Work series.

The New Work series is organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and is generously supported by Collectors Forum, the founding patron of the series. Major funding is also provided by Martha and Bruce Atwater, the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund, and Robin Wright. Media support provided by San Francisco magazine.

Exhibition Preview

A sculpture of a woman with her hands raised in the air next to a framed block of text, three wall-hanging sculptures, and three reflective geometric sculptures
A sculpture of a woman with her hands raised in the air next to a framed block of text and two wall-hanging sculptures
A sculpture of a woman with her hands raise din the air next to a reflective geometric sculpture and a framed block of text
Three reflective geometric sculptures and a wall-hanging sculptures in a room with patterned wallpaper
Mai-Thu Perret, Sylvania, 2006; collection of the artist; Mai-Thu Perret; photo: Stefan Rohner
Mai-Thu Perret, Unsold goods a thousand years old, 2008
Mai-Thu Perret, The dragon gave birth to a golden phoenix that shattered the turquoise blue sky, 2008

New Work: Mai-Thu Perret (installation view, SFMOMA), 2009

New Work: Mai-Thu Perret (installation view, SFMOMA), 2009

New Work: Mai-Thu Perret (installation view, SFMOMA), 2009

New Work: Mai-Thu Perret (installation view, SFMOMA), 2009

Mai-Thu Perret, Sylvania, 2006; collection of the artist; Mai-Thu Perret; photo: Stefan Rohner

Mai-Thu Perret, Unsold goods a thousand years old, 2008; courtesy of Timothy Taylor Gallery, London; photo: Christian Altengarten; 2008 Mai-Thu Perret

Mai-Thu Perret, Illuminate completely the mountains, the rivers, and myriad blossoms, 2008; courtesy of Timothy Taylor Gallery, London; photo: Christian Altengarten; 2008 Mai-Thu Perret

Mai-Thu Perret, Illuminate completely the mountains, the rivers, and myriad blossoms, 2008; courtesy of Timothy Taylor Gallery, London; photo: Christian Altengarten; 2008 Mai-Thu Perret