Among the modern art giants of the past century, Francis Picabia (1879–1953) remains one of the most elusive. Best known as a leader of the Dada movement, he vigorously avoided any singular style, and his work encompassed painting, poetry, publishing, performance, and film.
His work ranged from Impressionism to radical abstraction, from Dadaist provocation to pseudo-classicism, and from photo-based realism to art informel.
“Francis Picabia: Our Heads Are Round So Our Thoughts Can Change Direction,” with more than 200 works, is the first US exhibition encompassing the entire career of this shape-shifting iconoclast.
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St. Nov. 21-Mar. 19: Sat.-Thu., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Fri., 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission is $25, $18 for seniors, $14 for students; free after 4 p.m. on Fri. More information at moma.org.
