Comments on: Thoughts on the Art Institute of Chicago http://arthistory.we-wish.net/2009/08/18/thoughts-on-the-art-institute-of-chicago/ Mon, 31 May 2010 00:34:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Chelsea http://arthistory.we-wish.net/2009/08/18/thoughts-on-the-art-institute-of-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-6056 Chelsea Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:30:42 +0000 http://arthistory.we-wish.net/?p=500#comment-6056 Hi, Emilie -- thanks so much for the clarification! I think interpretation definitely changes when an artist curated the show. I'm definitely wishing now that I had more time to spend in the space and plan to revisit it when I go to the museum again. It was also chock full of people moving every which way, and I found myself wishing it was a little quieter so I could appreciate those deliberate choices made by the artist-curator. Karin -- you're absolutely right and I agree with you completely. Perhaps my thoughts came off as a bit too harsh. I helped to curate a student show at a museum last year and that was incredibly challenging; I can only imagine curating on such a large scale. Again, definitely planning a second look on my next visit. Thanks for your thoughts! Hi, Emilie — thanks so much for the clarification! I think interpretation definitely changes when an artist curated the show. I’m definitely wishing now that I had more time to spend in the space and plan to revisit it when I go to the museum again. It was also chock full of people moving every which way, and I found myself wishing it was a little quieter so I could appreciate those deliberate choices made by the artist-curator.

Karin — you’re absolutely right and I agree with you completely. Perhaps my thoughts came off as a bit too harsh. I helped to curate a student show at a museum last year and that was incredibly challenging; I can only imagine curating on such a large scale. Again, definitely planning a second look on my next visit. Thanks for your thoughts!

]]> By: Karin http://arthistory.we-wish.net/2009/08/18/thoughts-on-the-art-institute-of-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-6054 Karin Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:54:10 +0000 http://arthistory.we-wish.net/?p=500#comment-6054 Your update is very interesting - it's so difficult sometimes for curators to find the appropriate balance between the freedom of the artist, the involvement of the audience, and plain old practical considerations! Sometimes mistakes are made, but I think it's important in general to enter an exhibition whenever possible with an open mind and a certain level of generosity towards those who arranged it. Not that any of us are always in the right mood for that! Your update is very interesting – it’s so difficult sometimes for curators to find the appropriate balance between the freedom of the artist, the involvement of the audience, and plain old practical considerations! Sometimes mistakes are made, but I think it’s important in general to enter an exhibition whenever possible with an open mind and a certain level of generosity towards those who arranged it. Not that any of us are always in the right mood for that!

]]> By: Emilie http://arthistory.we-wish.net/2009/08/18/thoughts-on-the-art-institute-of-chicago/comment-page-1/#comment-6053 Emilie Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:36:09 +0000 http://arthistory.we-wish.net/?p=500#comment-6053 Hi! Thrilled to have found you. I recently left the staff of AIC, and yes, you're colleague is right. The gray papered wall is in fact part of the installation by photographer Gaylen Gerber. The curator of those contemp photo galleries in the MW (as well as the pre-1950s photography in the lower Allerton building) is Matt Witkovsky. He's definitely interested in avant-garde work, which I think is mostly very refreshing for AIC. Hi! Thrilled to have found you. I recently left the staff of AIC, and yes, you’re colleague is right. The gray papered wall is in fact part of the installation by photographer Gaylen Gerber. The curator of those contemp photo galleries in the MW (as well as the pre-1950s photography in the lower Allerton building) is Matt Witkovsky. He’s definitely interested in avant-garde work, which I think is mostly very refreshing for AIC.

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