Alex Bag

Jan 9–Apr 12, 2009

People watching a video in a gallery with a furry rug.
People watching a video in a gallery with a furry rug.

Installation view of Alex Bag (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, January 9–April 12, 2009). Photograph by Sheldan C. Collins

For her first solo museum presentation, Alex Bag has created a newly commissioned video installation inspired by the 1970s children’s syndicated television show, The Patchwork Family, on which the artist's mother appeared as host. Continuing her commentary on contemporary media culture, and in her signature satirical style, Bag peoples her audience with real-life kids, as well as a variety of stock characters from her previous work, including conspiracy theorists, witches, neurochemists, corporate raiders, and suburban housewives.

This exhibition is organized by Shamim M. Momin, associate curator.


In the News

"an acid-soaked madeleine to remembrances both real and Memorex. Go ahead and take a bite."
--Time Out New York

"Since the mid-1990s, the New York–based artist Alex Bag has created a wide array of acerbic video art––by turns hilarious and horrific"
--Artforum

"Ms. Bag, a combination performance artist, stand-up comedian and character actor, is usually the star and sole on-camera participant in her videos, and she has more than enough charisma to carry a show. Her target is media culture, and very often art world culture, which she skewers with mordant brilliance."
--The New York Times


On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Maya Man, A Realistic Day In My Life Living In New York City

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

On the Hour projects can contain motion and sound. To respect your accessibility settings autoplay is disabled.