"It is something out of a sci-fi movie, with arms, legs and a neck." (Sculpture by Adrian Villar Roja at the New Museum)

“The Ungovernables” is a special triennial show- happening only once every three years! The name says it all: the ones who don’t want to follow the rules. Upon entering the New Museum, (located in SoHo, on Bowery) you immediately turn your attention to the mural painted on the wall above the elevators. It looks like a bunch of swirly designs and abstract patterns, but upon closer inspection reveals two people skydiving. The exhibit itself ranges from commonplace, to just plain boring. There are a few pieces that stick out though.

“The Ungovernables” is the second triennial exhibition at the New Museum, acknowledging many different generations and art by people from all walks of life. Some pieces are things that anyone can do, like sticking glass cups on a wall, or simply hanging a Palestinian flag. A few pieces worth seeing are the hole in the wall, the music video radiating with energy, and the magic carpet. Don’t forget to check out the Cement Giant. The hole in the wall is an alcove that is purposely ruined, with furniture hanging over your head while emitting a humming sound. It is oddly at peace inside that alcove, despite the mess. Hassan Khan’s music video is a video of two Egyptian men, dancing oddly, randomly and spontaneously. The main focus of that video is an Anglerfish, a deep-sea roaming creature that is reclusive yet intriguing. It produces its own light, with a headlamp attached to its head. The music is energetic and radiant, a mixture of traditional Middle-Eastern music and techno-pop. I found myself wanting to move to the beat. The space is perfect for having dance battles without being seen by the other museum-goers.

"PrayWay", for viewing and sitting, at the New Museum. (Photo by Patrick McMullan)

“PrayWay” by Slavs and Tatars is a magic carpet is a book-shaped carpet that- (drum roll please) you can actually sit on! I found myself going back to sit on it just because I could. It reminisces all the childhood stories with magic carpets like Aladdin, or Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. The cement giant is called “A Person Loved Me” by Adrian Villar Rojas the only piece that sticks out on the fourth floor, it stands to the ceiling, made mostly of foam, and covered in unglazed clay. It is something out of a sci-fi movie, with arms, legs and a neck. You can even walk through two of its legs- if the guards don’t catch you that are.

The rest of the exhibit isn’t really worth seeing. A quick glance will be all you need. Things like a video of a comic book design group conference, random objects on a table, or a purple and green Venn diagram projected onto the wall, have no real depth to them. The ads in the subway boast colorful scraps of artwork in crumpled newspaper form are not shown in the exhibit. The ads are dull in color and are not entirely noticeable to the naked eye. The exhibit seems to have a lot of hype, but is a bit disappointing in reality. The exhibit lacks an interesting ideal to the vision it holds and needs some more spice to it.