Based on one of the themes we have collectively identified, each curatorial team will create a survey exhibition to include at least 30 works by at least 12 artists. Materials due are a PowerPoint exhibition, curator’s statement (of at least four pages), title, press release, checklist, and installation plan. At least half of your artists must be contemporary—that is, people whose work dates from 1960 and after.
The artists you include do not need to be photographers. In fact, I’d be delighted to see work in other media. The objective of this assignment is to get you thinking about how your work relates to the larger art world. So look broadly!
Your specific tasks in formulating your exhibition:
- Conceive theme and begin your selection process. Cast a wide net. Make a “long list” of works you might include and then winnow down.
- Look carefully, research the works and artists on your list. Then narrow your list down to your final selection.
- Gather info for checklist: Artists’ names, dates and nationality; titles and dates; media. Collect artist’s statements and/or descriptions of work, if available. (These can be very useful in crafting your curatorial statement.)
- Write an introductory statement that outlines the idea that animates your exhibition. This will guide the viewer through your thinking, establish how the individual works fit into the exhibition, establish relationships among them—basically create your argument for the work you’ve gathered.
What you need to hand in:
- A title for your exhibition that gives potential viewers a clue about what to expect.
- A press release (one page)
- A curatorial statement (four to six pages) laying out the basic argument for your exhibition. Begin with several introductory paragraphs that articulate the underlying theme and follow with a detailed treatment of the individual images and how they relate.
- A checklist of works to include artist’s name, dates and nationality; title of work, date of work, and medium. Information that is unavailable should be noted (i.e., if you can’t find the date of a piece, indicate that with “nd.”
- PowerPoint presentation (which you will present to your classmates in the final class).
- An installation plan that indicates sequencing. You may use the Print Center layout as your model. (Optional.)
Critical Issues 