The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Los Angeles - Doug Aitken Exhibit

Installation view of Doug Aitken: Electric Earth, September 10, 2016 - January 15, 2017 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. Courtesy of The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Photo by SPARANO + MOONEY ARCHITECTURE.

• TEAM

  ARCHITECTURAL TEAM | John Sparano, Anne Mooney, Ludwing Juarez, Jorge Beltran

  PHOTOGRAPHY | Sparano + Mooney Architecture

  STRUCTURAL | NAST Enterprises Corp.

Doug Aitken: Electric Earth was a comprehensive survey of the Los Angeles-based artist’s work, marking his first major North American retrospective. The exhibition featured a range of immersive, multi-channel video installations that explored themes of isolation, technology and the human condition. Notable works included migration (empire), an eight-channel video installation presented within a four-room architectural environment. Aitken's installations invited viewers to experience time and space in non-linear ways, challenging traditional narrative structures and encouraging reflection on the complexities of modern life.

Sparano + Mooney Architecture provided design support, collaborating with the museum’s Exhibition Production group and designing gallery areas per the museum’s direction.  In addition, Sparano + Mooney Architecture worked with the structural engineer to design architectural support for specialized exhibits including the cylindrical projection screen in the main gallery and the acoustic pool. Gallery areas were designed to comply with present building code requirements for construction and accessibility.  Sparano + Mooney Architecture generated permitting drawings for architectural improvement renovations to accommodate Aitken’s exhibits; attended design meetings with the museum’s Exhibition Production group; prepared a building permit application and submitted permitting documents to the Building Department and Fire Department for approval; and attended plan check review meetings to obtain the necessary building permit issuance while also providing support during exhibit construction.