Identity, History, and Articulation in Contemporary Art: An exhibition seminar
In diesem Seminar beschäftigen wir uns mit aktuellen Ausstellungen in Wien, die Fragen von Identität und Differenz, Migration und kultureller Übersetzung, Blackness und Disability behandeln. Diese wichtigen Themen heutiger Kunst verbinden Lebensbedingungen im Zeitalter von Globalisierung und neuen Technologien mit historischen Erfahrungen von Kolonialismus und Sklaverei. Ihre künstlerische Bearbeitung kann unterschiedliche Formen annehmen, weshalb wir in diesem Seminar den Aspekt der Artikulation in den Fokus rücken. Es soll vor allem darum gehen, zu begreifen, auf welche Weise und mit welchen Mitteln überzeugende künstlerische Arbeiten und kuratorische Setzungen zu diesen Themen operieren. Artikulation betrifft den gezielten Einsatz von Sprache, Körper, Material, Technologie, Form und Farbe und vieles mehr. Sie lässt sich als Herstellung von Bedeutung durch Mittel des Ausdrucks beschreiben. Nirgendwo lässt sich dies direkter nachvollziehen als in der Arbeit des Künstlers JJJJJerome Ellis, der zurzeit in der Secession ausstellt. Als ein Schwarzer amerikanischer Künstler, der stottert und dies auch offensiv thematisiert, behandelt Ellis die Nachwirkungen der Geschichte der Sklaverei. Wenn das Sprechen nicht so (reibungslos) funktioniert, wie es die Mehrheit erwartet, wird der Prozess (und die Konventionen) des Artikulierens besonders deutlich. Dann sieht man auch in den anderen Techniken der künstlerischen Bedeutungsproduktion ihre Funktionsweisen klarer. Etwa in der Kunst der chinesisch-schwedischen Künstlerin Lap-See Lam, die – ebenfalls in der Secession – Glas, Bambus und Mandarinen einsetzt, um am Beispiel ihrer Familie über Migration, Diaspora und „Generationenverlust“ zu reflektieren.
Wir besuchen diese und andere Ausstellungen immer zweimal. Einmal unvorbereitet mit offenen Augen, Ohren und Geist, um wahrzunehmen und Fragen aufzuwerfen. Ein zweites Mal mit der Vorbereitung durch eine kleine Gruppe von Seminar-Teilnehmer_innen, um eine präzise Beschreibung, Analyse und Interpretation zu erarbeiten. So üben wir unsere eigene Artikulation im Dialog mit jener der Kunstwerke und Ausstellungen.
Identity, History, and Articulation in Contemporary Art: An exhibition seminar In this seminar, we will examine current exhibitions in Vienna that address issues of identity and difference, migration and cultural translation, Blackness and disability. These important topics in contemporary art connect living conditions in the age of globalization and new technologies with historical experiences of colonialism and slavery. Their artistic treatment can take various forms, which is why we will focus on the aspect of articulation in this seminar. The primary aim is to understand how and through what means compelling artistic works and curatorial approaches to these themes operate. Articulation involves the deliberate use of language, the body, materials, technology, form, color, and much more. It can be described as the creation of meaning through means of expression. Nowhere is this more directly evident than in the work of the artist JJJJJerome Ellis, who is currently exhibiting at the Secession. As a Black American artist who stutters and addresses this openly, Ellis explores the lingering effects of the history of slavery. When speech does not function as (smoothly) as the majority expects, the process (and the conventions) of articulation become particularly evident. Then one can also see more clearly how other techniques of artistic meaning-making function. Take, for example, the work of the Chinese-Swedish artist Lap-See Lam, who – also at the Secession – uses glass, bamboo, and mandarins to reflect on migration, diaspora, and „generational loss“ through the lens of her own family history. We will visit these and other exhibitions always twice. The first time, unprepared, with open eyes, ears, and minds, to observe and raise questions. The second time, with preparation by a small group of seminar participants, to develop a precise description, analysis, and interpretation. In this way, we practice our own articulation in dialogue with that of the artworks and exhibitions.
Identity, History, and Articulation in Contemporary Art: An exhibition seminar In this seminar, we will examine current exhibitions in Vienna that address issues of identity and difference, migration and cultural translation, Blackness and disability. These important topics in contemporary art connect living conditions in the age of globalization and new technologies with historical experiences of colonialism and slavery. Their artistic treatment can take various forms, which is why we will focus on the aspect of articulation in this seminar. The primary aim is to understand how and through what means compelling artistic works and curatorial approaches to these themes operate. Articulation involves the deliberate use of language, the body, materials, technology, form, color, and much more. It can be described as the creation of meaning through means of expression. Nowhere is this more directly evident than in the work of the artist JJJJJerome Ellis, who is currently exhibiting at the Secession. As a Black American artist who stutters and addresses this openly, Ellis explores the lingering effects of the history of slavery. When speech does not function as (smoothly) as the majority expects, the process (and the conventions) of articulation become particularly evident. Then one can also see more clearly how other techniques of artistic meaning-making function. Take, for example, the work of the Chinese-Swedish artist Lap-See Lam, who – also at the Secession – uses glass, bamboo, and mandarins to reflect on migration, diaspora, and „generational loss“ through the lens of her own family history. We will visit these and other exhibitions always twice. The first time, unprepared, with open eyes, ears, and minds, to observe and raise questions. The second time, with preparation by a small group of seminar participants, to develop a precise description, analysis, and interpretation. In this way, we practice our own articulation in dialogue with that of the artworks and exhibitions.
- Teacher: Christian