Crash Courses on Contemporary Art: Whitney Biennial 2019

Floor 8, Tom and Diane Tuft Trustee Room

These dynamic, single-session courses offer an in-depth look at contemporary art through using the 2019 Whitney Biennial as a point of departure. Each week we focus on a major theme in the exhibition, and put it in the context of current conversations in the art world and the history of American art. An open discussion follows each session. Refreshments will be served.

Attendees gain special access to the Biennial galleries when the Museum is closed to most visitors.

Wednesday, July 17
7–8:30 pm

Queer Arts
This session looks at aesthetic and political strategies developing out of the work of a new generation of queer and trans identified artists. Building on the work of artists in this year’s Biennial such as Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Elle Pérez, Nicole Eisenman, and others, we will trace the long history of artists engaging questions of gender and sexuality since the Whitney’s survey of contemporary art began in 1932. This session is led by Josh Lubin-Levy, Joan Tisch Teaching Fellow.

Wednesday, July 24
7–8:30 pm

Rethinking Representation in Art
This session examines the aesthetics of visibility and narrative in Black women’s contemporary art practices. We will look closely at work on view by Simone Leigh, Tiona Nekkia McClodden, Autumn Knight, and others. This session is led by Ayanna Dozier, Joan Tisch Teaching Fellow.

Wednesday, July 31
7–8:30 pm

Artistic Communities
Like many exhibition formats, Whitney Biennials highlight the work of individual artists. Yet in the 2019 Biennial, several artists have used their participation to center the broader communities in which they work. This session focuses on the work of Jeffrey Gibson, Christine Sun Kim, and others to explore the interconnectedness of artists within and across generations. This session is led by Aliza Shvarts, Joan Tisch Teaching Fellow.

This event has reached ticketing capacity.

For general inquiries and information related to the course, please email courses@whitney.org. Participants are welcome to register for individual sessions or for the entire series.