This Spiegel-Wilks Curatorial Seminar explores issues of racial, sexual, and historical identity in contemporary culture as they intersect with the politics of museum display over the last three decades. Offered in collaboration with the Barnes Foundation, and co-taught with Executive Director and President Thom Collins, the course will pay particular attention to the importance and influence of artistic legacy, cultural critique, and community across generations. In addition, students will be provided with an immersion in curatorial and museum studies and will have the opportunity to interact with curators, scholars, and staff at the museum and Penn. The course syllabus will build upon the pioneering exhibition “30 Americans” organized by the Rubell Family Collection, and catalog essays by Robert Hobbs, Glenn Ligon, Franklin Sirmans, Michele Wallace, and others. As part of the course, students will also conduct research and contribute to the exhibition at the Barnes Foundation, where the course will meet weekly. This seminar requires permission from the instructor.
