Move over, ICA--you're no longer the new kid in town. The Boston art scene has moved on to something new. Something bad.

A pilgrimage to the basement of the Dedham Community Theatre is no longer required for Bostonians looking for a bad art fix, as the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) has opened a second location downstairs in the Somerville Theatre. Conveniently located steps away from the Red Line at Davis Square, the theatre now houses a cavern of underappreciated art that will finally get the attention it deserves.

Bostonist threw on an Aquaman t-shirt and went to the new MOBA location's opening reception this week, where the packed gallery was treated to Kool-aid and Cheetos--snacks as classy as the art itself. We were surprised that much of the art evokes a positive or neutral reaction. Yes, the dreadfully ugly is well-represented, but many pieces are just amateur works that try too hard or too little. Some are are too derivative of another artist's style--or of styles that shouldn't be imitated.

Whether you're catching a reasonably-priced film or some of their quality live programming, do yourself a favor and take a gander at the newest museum in the area. See the lion painting with "puffy" eyes, the vase of flowers without a vase, the cityscape with real keys affixed, the female tree with leaves of eyes, pointillist guy in diaper, "Pablo" Presley, the portrait stolen and returned for no ransom, and the giant "Worried Guy" that was saved from the trash in Seattle. It's a treasure trove of trashiness that's definitely worth seeing.

As curator Michael Frank said:

People say, "How can it be bad? We like it." Well, we like it too! Or we wouldn't have it here."

Pablo Presley (rob vassegh)

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