Frank Benson’s 3-D printed sculpture of artist, model, poet and equality advocate Juliana Huxtable was the presiding presence over the 2015 Triennial at the New Museum. Vogue magazine, reacting to phenomenal public response both to this image and Huxtable’s own work in the exhibition, said that if the Triennial had been a movie, Huxtable was its star. The Triennial, as it happened, received short shrift from The Review Panel (Sharon Butler, Noah Dillon and John Yau were my guests discussing it in April) and artcritical doesn’t usually take its cues from Vogue, the public or from star systems in selecting its PICK. But Benson’s glorious creation, voluptuous and ethereal in equal measure, seems a fitting cover image in the dwindling days of a year joyously marked by increasing transgender visibility.
The choice actually emerged as I was penning an intended PICK of two group exhibitions curated by artist and artcritical contributor William Corwin: Cyborg, at Zürcher Gallery, in which Huxtable is included, and Devotion, at Catinca Tabacaru Gallery. Check out my capsule review of these shows to see if the connection makes sense. And even if it doesn’t, forgive artcritical and check back with us in the new year when exciting improvements await readers. DAVID COHEN
Frank Benson, Juliana, 2014-2015. Painted Accura® Xtreme Plastic rapid prototype, 54 x 48 x 24 inches. Courtesy of Andrew Kreps Gallery
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