The offset image object margin line: Dada Fluxus Pop
The Society of Design Arts (SoDA), AIGA Baltimore, and Stevenson University held this talk with Brian Kain and Suzi Garner.
In times of political, social, aesthetic malaise, when direct action becomes guarded, defensive, cynical or confused, it may be helpful to recount the expansive pluralism of art, in Dada, Fluxus and Pop of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. In that time, the direct action of art became inter-disciplined and self critical — in the production of ideas, images, objects, music, text, social action, language, movement, sound, silence, and events. This array of actions produced a quixotic-concrete poetics of art, which spoke directly to the viewer, the listener, for their singular perceptions, in their apprehension, analysis, and response to the art and ideas of their time.
The art and design work of Marcel Duchamp, George Brecht, Yoko Ono, John Cage, Adrian Piper, Andy Warhol, Bruce Nauman, Yvonne Rainer, David Hammons, Vito Acconci, Nancy Holt, Robert Smithson, Mel Bochner, and others, will be touched upon and discussed.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Brian Kain is an artist, designer and builder, and has been adjunct professor of Fine Arts and Humanities for Maryland Institute College of Art, Gettysburg College, Stevenson University, Villa Julie College, Corcoran College of Art and Design, and visiting artist to the Architecture Department at Cranbrook Academy of Art, and Sculpture Department at The Center for Creative Studies, in Detroit. Kain’s previous presentations for SoDA (SHAG) include: 13 conditions of Language, Towson University, and Graphic Design of Robert Smithson, Stevenson University.
Suzi Garner is a multi-media artist focusing on social practice and video installation. She received a BFA in Photography from UH Manoa in 2002. From 2002-to 2013 she lived in Vietnam working with ethnic minority populations on photo-documentary and heritage preservation projects. She received an MA in Heritage and Sustainable Development from Australian National University in 2008 and moved to the Bay Area in 2013. Using various mediums she collaborates with individuals, communities, and the environment to create situations/processes culminating as installation and performance. She sees her work as a vehicle for evolving her relationship to the community and the environment. Current themes include amplifying the voices of unhoused community members, reflecting on the power of the land around the I-580 freeway, and exploring the challenges of motherhood.