The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has revealed its ambitious 2025 exhibition lineup, promising a year of thought-provoking and innovative programming. With themes ranging from historical reexaminations to intimate artistic networks, the schedule underscores MOCA’s commitment to addressing pressing cultural and societal issues through contemporary art.
A marquee highlight is MONUMENTS (October 23, 2025 – May 24, 2026), a bold exhibition at MOCA Geffen. Co-organized with The Brick, it juxtaposes decommissioned Confederate statues with contemporary works by artists like Kara Walker and Hank Willis Thomas, fostering reflection on the evolving symbolism of these charged monuments. The exhibition’s striking presentation is set to ignite dialogue on America’s fraught historical legacies.
Diary of Flowers: Artists and Their Worlds (March 2, 2025 – January 4, 2026) opens at MOCA Grand Avenue, exploring how artists forge personal and imaginative networks. The exhibition features over 80 pieces by artists like Nan Goldin and Wangechi Mutu, emphasizing creativity as a conduit for connection.
MOCA Focus: Takako Yamaguchi (June 29, 2025 – March 1, 2026) celebrates the Los Angeles-based artist’s first solo museum show in the city. Known for her ornate, stylized paintings blending Eastern and Western influences, Yamaguchi’s work challenges notions of cultural identity with dazzling, meticulously crafted seascapes.
In another first, Wael Shawky: Drama 1882 (February 20 – March 16, 2025) makes its U.S. debut at MOCA Geffen. The acclaimed film installation reimagines Egypt’s 19th-century Urabi revolution through a compelling operatic lens, blending fact and fiction.
Further enriching the season is Tracing Performance, Fictions of Display (June 29, 2025 – March 1, 2026), showcasing works that explore the intersection of theater, performance, and objects. With pieces by Guillermo Gómez-Peña and Silke Otto-Knapp, the exhibition examines performance as a lens for understanding artistic expression.
MOCA’s 2025 program reflects its dedication to fostering dialogue and critical thought. “This season connects history, identity, and imagination, positioning contemporary art as a mirror to society’s complexities,” says Johanna Burton, MOCA’s Director.
From groundbreaking solo shows to innovative thematic explorations, MOCA’s upcoming exhibitions promise to captivate, provoke, and inspire. For tickets and details, visit www.moca.org
