Artistic Ritalin

I get it. I just don’t like it.

Decelerate, the current main exhibit at The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, is a response to the manic speed of our modern age. Even as I write this, I’m distracted by NPR, blinking instant messages, unviewed email, and a ringing cell phone.

Comprised of works by ten artists, the works in Decelerate are an attempt to slow life down. It’s an interesting premise that doesn’t translate into good art. Most of the pieces in Decelerate are annoying, obvious or unintentionally ugly. Everyone understands that life moves quickly and that we're overwhelmed with stimuli. We don’t need bad art to tell us.

That said, I love the Kemper. Anyone can walk in and inspect the art for six or sixty minutes. And the museum just large enough to ignore Decelerate and enjoy the rotating showing of the Kemper’s stunning permanent collection.