Jim Campbell: Bay Area Treasure

Jim Campbell, Exploded Views (Improv), 2011, (installation view); 2,880 LED lights, custom electronics; Choreography: Alonzo King LINES Ballet; commissioned by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, courtesy the artist and Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco – New York, copyright Jim Campbell, photo: Sarah Christianson

Modern Art Council President Joni Binder-Shwarts, SFMOMA Director Neal Benezra, Bay Area Treasure Event Chair Shirley Parks

Jim Campbell became SFMOMA’s 13th Bay Area Treasure, named by the Modern Art Council, at a reception and dinner in his honor on October 23, 2012. The evening began with a champagne reception beneath Campbell’s commissioned Exploded Views in the museum’s Haas Atrium. The large-scale cinematic sculpture composed of 2,880 flickering LED lights has mesmerized viewers since its installation in 2011. The very next day, Exploded Views was taken down to make room for a new installation. SFMOMA Director Neal Benezra announced at the event that MAC’s contributions allowed the museum to purchase the piece for its permanent media arts collection.

Scenes from the event:

Christine Suppes at the Bay Area Treasure reception in honor of Jim Campbell

Roselyne Swig, Bay Area Treasure Jim Campbell, Darian Swig

Natalee Tortorice, Jacqueline Sacks

Charlot Malin, Jacqueline Rais

Event Photos by Drew Altizer Photography

More of SFMOMA’s Bay Area Treasures: Robert Bechtle, Ruth Bernhard, Mark di Suvero, Bill Fontana, Lawrence Halprin, Manuel Neri, Nathan Oliveira, Richard Serra, Larry Sultan, Wayne Thiebaud, Sara Little Turnbull and William T. Wiley.