As the 21st century unfolds, new discoveries in science and technology have transformed our lives, some are awe inspiring but others are scary. We live in a globally connected world, inundated daily with news of the potentially devastating consequences of human actions. While humanity faces a perilous virus, the inequities and injustices of our world become not merely inexcusable but intolerably vivid. How have we got to this state of being? And can artistic practice better sensitize us to emergent challenges? Art is a powerful tool to redress and reimagine our world. At this extraordinary time, the distress of the challenges we face may be an opportunity to rewire our collective consciousness. If we are to do so in a more just and caring direction, then artists will be central to that transformation. Welcome to The Future of Our Plans.
This online showcase, a collaboration between our most recent alumni, and SAIC’s faculty and staff reimagines the end of year exhibitions associated with the passage of SAIC’s graduates from students to being cultural “evolutionaries” in the world.
Each day throughout August 2020, an invited arts professional selected three graduates to highlight. Browse the archive of viewing recommendations here.
These artists move beyond “selfie,” toward personal reflection as proposition. Self as homing device in an uncertain time (even before “these uncertain times”). Narrative and individual vantage operate as centering propositions, not end points. Self as pivot to recognize other and premise to observe, and to contaminate seemingly firm delineations of other.
Subjectivity here is a road toward connection. Self reflection not as narcissus enraptured, but reflection as map-making, one data point toward plurality.
These thematic tags serve as words for grouping the presented work around prevailing themes addressed by this year’s class of graduates. Each artist, designer, and scholar has selected the words to associate with their page, creating interesting groupings of work around these concepts.
Graduate Dean and SAIC faculty member Delinda Collier in conversation with Robyn Farrel, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Former dean of faculty and SAIC faculty member Lisa Wainwright in conversation with Hamza Walker, faculty member in the Low Residency MFA program and Director of LAXART.