2010 Whitney Biennial Top 10 - No. 9 Marianne Vitale

As I entered the smallish room, (approx. 100 sqr. ft.), where Marianne Vitale's work resided (middle/back), I couldn't help but to identify again (see No. 10 pick) with Storm Tharp's largish gloom-a-delic portraits which hung on the walls to the left and right of Marianne's video. Thought, "Wow, I feel like one of Storm's "spirit faces," give me some air please, I think I am about to suffocate."

Next, I started getting into Marianne's video and quickly realized she was addressing "the patrons of the museum" by barking orders at us all. A fellow patron stood to my left laughing hysterically. I wondered if he was on ecstasy.

Took another glance at Storm's portraits, focused again on Marianne barking orders, and became slightly uncomfortable. Thought about sitting on a single small chair situated directly in front of the video, then reconsidered.

Turned around, exited stage right.

"Bye Marianne, Bye Storm..."

Marianne Vitale, Patron, 2009
Video, color, sound, 8:36 min. Collection of the artist; Courtesy IBID PROJECTS, London

This work is on view in the Museum’s second floor galleries.