MCASD’s “Lifelike,” makes art out of the ordinary What may seem to be commonplace objects and mundane situations are showcased as subject matter at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) La Jolla in its latest exhibit, “Lifelike.” The group exhibition — which includes paintings, sculptures, photography, drawings and video — moves away from the drastic surrealist tendencies of the 1920s or the flashy pop-art movement of the 1960s to embrace the quotidian life by highlighting objects and situations that are often overlooked in everyday life. To understand the artists’ transformations of the ordinary into art, the museum invites visitors to take part in any one of its events for viewers of all ages to interact with and engage in the works with the experts. The “Lifelike” exhibit will be on display at MCASD La Jolla through May 27. All events will take place at the museum, located at 700 Prospect St. For more information, visit www.mcasd.org/exhibitions/lifelike or call (858) 454-3541. Family ArtLAB: Lifelike Transformations March 3, 2-4 p.m. Take part in a Look/Explore tour and let the museum’s gallery educators lead your family in lively conversation about the museum’s latest exhibition. Paint or sculpt as you learn more about how artists have transformed everyday objects into interesting and deceiving works of art. This program is recommended for families with children ages five and older. The program costs $10 for members and military families, and $25 for general admission. Ticket prices include two adults and up to three children. A Curator’s Perspective March 4, 2 p.m. Led by an MCASD curator, this tour and conversation invites visitors to ask questions about the current exhibition and learn about artists’ processes. Celebrate the opening of “Lifelike” with a gallery walk-through led by associate curator Jill Dawsey. This program is included free with museum admission. Educator First Look Tour: “Lifelike” March 7, 3:30-5 p.m. Our Educator First Look tour is back for educators teaching grades K-12 as well as college and university professors. Tours begin at 3:30 and 4:15 p.m. Gallery educators will share in-gallery activities, gallery teaching strategies and ideas about how to introduce this exhibition to students. Teen Create Lab: Lifelike March 9, 1-4 p.m. The objects featured in the exhibition force viewers to closely examine what is real and what is an artful trick of the eye. MCASD invites high school students to explore realism in contemporary art and the magic of everyday objects during workshops led by local artists Brianna Rigg and Gary Garay. Brianna Rigg’s practice uses objects to investigate histories, power relations, and psychological motivations that lead to the production of cultural artifacts. Gary Garay’s work explores commonplace objects that speak to the Mexican-American immigrant experience in Southern California. — Mariko Lamb
