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2000s
2000s

Bruce Nauman's art in the 2000s continued his exploration of themes such as the human condition, communication, and the role of the artist, employing a wide range of media including video, sculpture, and sound installations. One of the standout works from this period is "Mapping the Studio I (Fat Chance John Cage)" from 2001, where Nauman set up infrared cameras in his studio to capture nocturnal activities—his cat moving about, mice, and insects. This piece marks a return to the studio, but with Nauman absent, focusing instead on the mundane and overlooked aspects of the space. The work suggests a reconsideration of the artist's studio, not as a sanctified space of creation but as a site where much occurs beyond the artist's direct involvement, hinting at a broader reflection on the nature of creativity and artistic labor​ (The Art Story)​. Nauman's work from the 2000s is characterized by a continuous examination of life's complexities through various mediums. His diverse output showcases political, mundane, spiritual, and crude aspects of human existence, engaging with the materials, speech, and activities of everyday life. A key aspect of his work from this period is the emphasis on the process or activity itself as a form of art, rather than focusing solely on the final product. This approach reflects Nauman's broad and innovative engagement with art-making, demonstrating his ongoing interest in pushing the boundaries of conventional artistic media and themes​ (Art21)​. Moreover, the 2018 MoMA exhibition "Bruce Nauman: Disappearing Acts" highlighted the span of his career, including works from the 2000s. This exhibition underscored Nauman's profound impact on contemporary art through a variety of materials and methods, revealing the mutable experiences of time, space, and the human condition that his works often invoke​ (The Museum of Modern Art)​. Through his work in the 2000s, Bruce Nauman continued to challenge and expand upon the themes and methods he explored in earlier decades, further cementing his status as a pivotal figure in contemporary art. His innovative use of video, sound, and installation art during this period not only reflects a deep engagement with the process of art-making but also invites viewers to reconsider their understanding of the art object and the spaces in which art is created and experienced.

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