| July 5, 2007 | to | October 13, 2007 |
@Silver Center for the Arts
The annual Faculty Exhibition showcases faculty as well as productive, successful artists, and provides a vital critical and creative conversation between the art department faculty and the greater PSU community. The exhibition celebrates and honors faculty as active artists and cultural agents while inviting an ongoing dialogue with artists, their works of art and each viewer.
Summer viewing hours are Monday - Friday, 8a.m. to 5p.m. and during performances, closed holidays.
Beginning September 4th, viewing hours are Monday - Friday, 8a.m. to 6p.m.; weekends noon to 6p.m. and during performances; closed holidays. This exhibition is free and open to the public.
This sounds like a great event for generating a conversation and ongoing dialog between artists and viewers. It’s a shame that one of the faculty pieces was removed from the show without any conversation with the artist before the removal. I’m curious about the dialog that occurred before the decision to remove the piece. Who were the participants of that dialog since the artist was not involved?
Left by Cathie LeBlanc on July 25th, 2007
I heard about the removal of the piece through a faculty member today and was extremely disheartened. Plymouth State University is making giant leaps into the 21st century with technology and environmentally conscious movements to be more “green” and yet it would seem the acceptance of contemporary art is back in the mindset of the 1950’s. If we can have naked people perform on stage in front of audiences and listen to provocative and explicit lyrics on the radio why was this piece taken down?
I feel that an explanation from the forces that be is in order. How are we as students supposed to strive forward in our own artistic endeavors when our fellow faculty members are being with strained.
I would also like to read a response from Greg Finley in regards to the removal of his work without notification. In addition to that I would also like to hear what the Dr. Cynthia Vascak has to say as she is head of the Art Department here at P.S.U.
Left by Anthony Cormier, BFA/MAT on August 2nd, 2007
Following collaborative discussion with the artist, the work will be re-installed in Silver Cultural Arts Center.
We will begin planning discussions in the fall to convene a cross-campus task force to develop PSU policy that will provide a framework for the exhibition of art in public spaces on campus.
Dr. Cynthia Vascak
Chair, Art Department
Left by Dr. Cynthia Vascak on August 3rd, 2007
Why not identify the artwork shown with this announcement?
Left by Sue Tucker on August 16th, 2007
I though this quote might be useful:
Evelyn
Much of modern art is devoted to lowering the threshold of what is terrible. By getting us used to what, formerly, we could not bear to see or hear, because it was too shocking, painful, or embarrassing, art changes morals. Susan Sontag (b. 1933), U.S. essayist. On
Photography, “America, Seen Through Photographs, Darkly” (1977).
Left by Evelyn on August 20th, 2007
It has been stressed by many who like to point out where The American Education is lacking that students must be preparing for jobs that do not yet even exist. What better way to do that than to preempt experiences they have not yet had? The parent in me might be uncomfortable taking my children to see the work that was removed. Should we then remove the work or analyze my apprehension? Children are by-design instruments for the creation of the next version of our society and subsequent world. I can’t think of better insurance for status quo at best and Dark Ages at worst than to abort thought before it is sparked. Beware of unquestioned caution.
Left by Daryl on August 29th, 2007
Here’s an easy to navigate and useful link that offers some thoughts on the arts and the First Amendment:
http://www.tjcenter.org/ArtOnTrial/tourstart.html
Check it out if you’re interested!
Left by Dr. Robin DeRosa on August 29th, 2007
I would like to extend my support and well wishes to the artist who was taken out of the PSU faculty exhibit because of the opinion of a few people. Why is their opinion more important that anyone else’s? I would also like to thank the artists and free thinkers everywhere! We can’t all be Ken and Barbie. What if I went to an exhibit and complained the work was uninspiring, mundane, and should not be shown. Hmmmm…
Molly Stark
Local Artist
Left by Molly Stark on September 15th, 2007