MoCA Puts Devo Energy Hats On Display

Whats a MoCA? No it’s not something you can order at your local Starbucks, it’s a museum here in LA.

As part of a new ‘The Artist’s Museum’ exhibit being opened at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 150+ artists are being honored who have been dubbed iconic for having helped shape the LA art scene since the 80s. Devo is among those artists being celebrated, but not because of their music, their trademark “energy domes” will be the attraction.

Over the years, people have found many uses for the infamous Devo Energy Dome hat which have included a bowl, a flower pot, and a pan to empty your car oil in, just to name a few. Now, another purpose added to the list of things the Energy Dome can be used as – art.

“We designed them (their hats), Jerry and I. We were influenced both by German Bauhaus movement and geometric fashion, and Aztec temples. We just liked the look. It looked good, and it didn’t look like any other bands out there. We weren’t interested in wearing groovy hats or groovy clothing. We kind of looked like Lego toys or something by the time we got those on our heads, and that was a positive thing.”

Some of you might be saying, ‘Hey, a hat is not art, why is it being featured in the MoCA?’ Well, if Duchamp can have a urinal on display at many different museums around the world, Devo’s domes should have a place in the MoCA.

Art? or

Art?

What ever the case is, if you are a Devo fan yourself, this is a must for you. Maybe you’re bummed out about them having to cancel their tour until next spring, make it up by stopping by the MoCA here in LA. I just mentioned said event  to Jed The Fish, and he said he was going to check it out himself.

The Energy Dome explained:

You can go see the archived images, video, and a 400 Energy Domes installation. The exhibit opened on Oct. 31st and it will run through Jan. 2011, so you have plenty of time to plan your visit. If you miss it, you will never live it down, unless you Whip It!