From our partners at Art Practical, today we bring you a review of Diana Thater’s current solo exhibition at the San Jose Museum of Art. Author Genevieve Quick notes that this exhibition is remarkably similar to ones the artist has already presented: “I am unconvinced that Thater’s minor changes constitute new works or the experimentation that the series seeks to support.” This article was originally published on April 28, 2015.

Diana Thater. Science, Fiction, 2015; two video projectors, media player, and lights; dimensions variable. Courtesy of the Artist; San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose; and David Zwirner, London/New York.

In Beta Space: Diana Thater at San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA), the artist explores the evocative and nuanced relationship between dung beetles and the universe. In addition to presenting video, Thater floods two galleries with blue light that strongly references the Light and Space movement. Thater unfortunately undermines her conceptually rich terrain by forcing a rather underwhelming physical experience. With its Silicon Valley location, SJMA is commendably addressing the intersection of art and technology, specifically with its Beta Space exhibitions. However, as the fourth installment in this series, Thater’s installation unintentionally provokes questions regarding the museum’s program that parallels changes in the confluence of money and influence in technology and the art world.

Read the full article here.