Relational Art

Paulina Lasa

April 10, 2008

Paulina Lasa presented a class on relational art that considers human relationships and social context to expand students’ definition of what art can be. Paulina worked with students on ideas and messages that they wanted to present in public. After creating these messages on posters, Paulina and the students taped them up on buildings, the sidewalk and bus stops on the Bowery.

Sculptural Self-Portraits

Wangechi Mutu

April 2, 2008

Students from the Beacon School met with artist Wangechi Mutu. Toting bags full of materials they found and collected for this workshop, students worked with Wangechi to create sculptural self-portraits of objects rather than a representational artwork. Throughout the workshop the artist discussed her own practice and artistic influences.

Power and Play

Pedro Reyes

March 10, 2008

Pedro Reyes worked with students to explore the relationship between power and play through a series of interactive games. One game Pedro presented called “The great game of power” had students place chairs, and then themselves, in the most powerful position they could imagine, resulting in a dynamic final tableau.

Everyday Inspiration

Marc André Robinson

March 4, 2008

Students at Pace High School met with Marc André Robinson to discuss his path to become an artist, including high school, college, graduate school, and artist residencies. Speaking about his influences he showed students images of his artwork as well as everyday images that inspired him to make art. At the end of the session he assigned students a final art project to reflect on the themes of the “Unmonumental” exhibition that will also be gifted to their high school from the first graduating class.

Their First Bundle

Shinique Smith

February 28, 2008

Artist Shinique Smith, featured in the exhibition, “Unmonumental: The Object in the 21 Century,” spoke to students about her artistic process and inspiration. She shared her artwork with students from City-As-School and spoke about her career as an artist.

Yesterday’s News

Benjamin Godsill

January 11, 2008

To introduce the New Museum’s inaugural exhibition, “Unmonumental: The Object in the 21 Century,” Curatorial Associate Benjamin Godsill presented a photographic essay titled Yesterday’s News from the exhibition catalogue Unmonumental: The Object in the 21st Century. Collating images from pivotal events from 2000 through 2006, his presentation helped provide the cultural context to explore the exhibition and the moment in which we live.

Becoming a Target

Kori Newkirk

November 15, 2007

Artist Kori Newkirk worked with students from New Design High School as part of their design class. Exploring the idea of target marketing, students worked with the artist to consider how they become walking targets of messages. Following this session, the entire 11th grade went to see his exhibition, “Kori Newkirk:1997-2007” at the Studio Museum Harlem.

2007-2008 Seminar Series

With the opening of the new New Museum, G:Class students had the opportunity to work with artists from the first few Museum exhibitions and Museum as Hub. Seminars are designed to provide students with the opportunity to work with artists to explore contemporary art, make relevant connections to the world around them, and investigate the creative process. They also promote the value and importance of art and explore the arts as a potential career option for young people.