The first comprehensive retrospective of the artist’s career, Robert Irwin featured thirty-five paintings and sculptures from the late 1950s to the early 1970s and three new installations, including a newly commissioned piece for the entrance of MOCA Grand Avenue.
The retrospective surveyed Irwin’s range of practices, including his early handheld paintings, line and dot paintings, disc pieces, acrylic columns, installation documentation, and the installations: Two Radial Bowers (1993), at the building’s entrance; “Scrim Light Volume”: created in the spirit of work from 1970/1980 such as “Slant Light Volume,”1971 (1993); and “5 Openings: 2+3”: created in the spirit of work from 1970/1980 such as “Black Line Volume,” 1975–76 (MCA, Chicago) (1993).Robert Irwin traveled to the Kölnischer Kunstverein; Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris; and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofìa, Madrid. The exhibition was accompanied by a catalogue.
Robert Irwin was organized by Richard Koshalek, Director, and Kerry Brougher, The Museum of Contemporary Art.