Marin Abell, Washburn Art Department Catron Professor of Art, is giving a presentation at the Unruly Engagements: On the Social Turn in Contemporary Art and Design conference at the Cleveland Institute of Art this week < cia.edu/academics/community-works/unruly-engagements-conference/conference-program >. Keynote speaker Shannon Jackson is an interesting art-theorist from UC Berkeley, and Jen Delos Reyes, founder of Open Engagement, is giving the closing remarks. Here is marins abstract: Before the Casinos Come… Socially engaged projects can be particularly potent in “rust belt” cities, where traits of a culture can either be on the brink of oblivion or conversely, poised for integrated transformation. While the process of getting one’s artistic activity outside of the white cube in order to generate new relationships with neighbors may seem like a new tactic, it is nevertheless grounded in many eastern and western traditions, ranging from Trickster to Homer. Regardless of its history, such an approach to art involves a paradox: through asserting more space for individuals we strengthen the community as a whole. The authentic transformation of a rust-belt area involves more than rebuilding on the tabula rasa of a topography; rather, rebuilding requires, and triggers the conscientious internalization of the many differences in one’s culture only discoverable through enthusiastic dialogue. Reconstructions that integrate an area’s already rich history can serve new purpose, such as opportunities for reflection and cultural memory. An artistic practice can be an occasion to uncover those memories and their attendant emotions. The more collaborative the creative process has been, the richer are the memories incorporated into it, and the more inviting the work is to unique interpretation and personal meaning for its audience.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 18:10:47 +0000
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