Mass MoCA

"Tree Logic," the iconic upside-down maple tree installation at the front of Mass MoCA

Given that it's only 40 minutes away, it's criminal that I haven't visited the galleries of Mass MoCA before today. I'd been to the building a number of times, but never dedicated the hours to touring the whole place. My friends Brooke (a Western Mass native, like me) and her husband Adrian are over from London and we thought some "crazy-ass modern art" (Brooke's words, and she's a Ph.D. in modern art!) would hit the spot.

Adi entering the head terrarium

Steinkamp

A converted set of mill buildings in North Adams, Mass, MMoCA is all about installations. It's got the space to do them right, and the building itself has so much character it often begs the question: where does the structure end and the art begin? It's not the Guggenheim, and that's the point—these were buildings that were built for industry, not art. And yet they manage to nearly steal the show...nearly.

Projections, Jenny Holzer

The highlight for me (and Brooke and Adrian too) was Jenny Holzer's "Projections." It's only there thru November 16, so if you've been thinking of seeing it, now's the time.