Jux' Top 100 Galleries/Museums

It’s no secret, I love a good list. Be it a grocery list, a to-do list, or even better, a list of the 100 Top Galleries/Museums put out by one of my favorite art rags, Juxtapoz. One of the best things about this top 100 is that

it really covers all the bases. You’ve got everything from museums you’d take your grandma to – to dank little hole-in-the-wall-graffiti-covered-entrance-in-the-alley-of-an-asian-marketplace galleries.

Also, as you flip through the list, you may notice that there seems to be a disproportionate number of entries listed in the Los Angeles area. I’m guessing this has less to do with LA snobbery (I can say that, I’m a native Angelino), and more to do with the fact that LA was the birthplace of the art movement that Jux covers…

Juxtapoz (in case you’re not familiar) tends to feature artwork in the realm of pop-surrealism, low brow, underground, or street art. Call it what you will. Everyone has their own P.C. name for this style, and it’s without a doubt one of my favorite genres of art.

Anyway, here are a few highlights of the article:

The award for best quote of the article goes to the description of gallery #92

Michael Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles, California 
Any gallery that has shown Mark Ryden is definitely worthy of a Top 100 spot. Ryden’s Tree Show at Michael Kohn in 2007 nearly had the art world in a frenzy. Ryden could probably get the country out the economic crisis.

I’m not sure exactly how Mark Ryden might get the country out of the economic crisis…but it’s an entertaining thought.

The award for best use of space goes to #86

86. MOCAD: Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit 


Detroit has more to offer than old car dealerships and Motown memories. This museum is an innovative addition to Detroit's Cultural Center, and functions as a hub for the exploration of emerging ideas in the contemporary arts. The 22,000 square foot building, a former auto dealership, has been simply renovated to maintain its his

toric character.

Hello city of Flagstaff! Can we say, abandon grocery building on 4^th street! BTW, I’m seeing this all over the country. Out of business “big box” stores turned into cultural art centers…I’m just sayin’…

The award for best vibe/gallery I might most like to visit right now (due in part to its location in the Southern hemisphere) goes to gallery #22

22. Choque Cultural in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Not only is Brazil getting hotter by the day (and no, we’re not just referring to global climate change) but Choque Cultural proves that the world is getting smaller on a rapid basis. Our favorite gallery in Sao Paulo regularly shows off international talent (like Tara McPherson and Gary Basemen) while keeping their street cred with local Brazilian artists (like Titi Freak and Calma).

These are just a few little gems picked from a whole Tiffany & Co. selection…Check it out for yourself.

By the way, special thanks to artist, Jeremy Singer, for posting this article on Facebook. Cause really, where would we all be without Facebook?