Shirin Neshat, still from "Possessed," sound / video installation

PAM's much-anticipated exhibition DISQUIETED opens this weekend: "Artists have always reflected and reacted to the world around them--and contemporary art, through its form or content, often disturbs as much as it provides solace. In DISQUIETED, a roster of renowned contemporary artists explore our social condition and respond to the most compelling issues of the day, challenging our preconceptions and exposing our vulnerability in turbulent times." Featured artists include (but are not limited to): Shirin Neshat, Andreas Gurskey, Charles Ray, Jaume Plensa, Doug Aitken, Bill Viola, Tracy Emin, and Takashi Murakami. The exhibition will run from February 20 - May 16, 2010.

On Sunday, Bruce Guenther, curator of modern and contemporary art at PAM, will present A Wary Eye: Art in Troubling Times, a discussion of DISQUIETED and the ideas and concerns that shaped the artwork in the exhibition.

Curator lecture • 2-3pm • February 21
Portland Art Museum • 1219 SW Park • 503.226.2811

Without a doubt Disquieted is by far the best looking group art show Ive seen in Portland in the last decade. Gorgeously layed out with some seriously great works (the Kruger, Ray and Gallagher works are legitimate masterpieces) I'm absolutely thrilled. Bruce tackled 90's identity politics and 00's collectivized civics with penache. The Daniel Richter, Murakami's and Neshat are worth the trip alone. The fact that several recent aquisitions by PAM are in the show only deepens the experience and contextual crosstalk.

After what 3.5 years of planning this is the show Portland has been waiting for PAM to finally fullfill. PORT will have some pretty exciting coverage to compliment expand the discussion/experience... finally I don't have to leave Portland to see something of this caliber. With Twombly, Golub and Disquieted Guenther has already locked up curator of the Year for 2010... there was a time when fundraising and planning for the new wing kept him from curating, 2010 is a big year for BG, PAM and serious art in Portland.

Nice work PAM