Group Material's Activist Curation Examined in Afterall Symposium
The 'Artist as Curator' symposium hosted by Afterall includes a presentation by Alison Green, titled 'Group Material: Curation, Activism and the Politics of the Studio-Gallery.' In her talk, Green reflects on the inaugural year of Group Material, which operated from a storefront gallery on Manhattan's Lower East Side. She explores the intersection of their curatorial efforts with activist movements. Known as both a 'laboratory' and 'public practice,' the group executed ten exhibitions within a year, challenging traditional exhibition formats while tackling pressing political themes and fostering audience engagement. Green posits that this series provides valuable insights for contemporary debates on 'discursive' and artistic curatorial practices. Alison Green, an art historian, critic, and curator at Central Saint Martins, also contributes to Art Monthly and Source, and is penning a book on artist-curators for Reaktion's Art Since 1980 series, overseen by Michael Corris. Charles Esche, Series Editor of Afterall Exhibition Histories, opened the symposium.
Key facts
- Afterall held an 'Artist as Curator' symposium featuring Alison Green.
- Green's talk focused on Group Material's first year in a Lower East Side storefront.
- Group Material produced ten exhibitions in less than a year.
- The group was described as a 'laboratory' and 'public practice'.
- Their exhibitions rethought the exhibition form and addressed political issues.
- Alison Green teaches at Central Saint Martins and leads the MA Culture, Criticism and Curation.
- Green is writing a book on artist-curators for Reaktion's Art Since 1980 series.
- Charles Esche introduced the symposium.
Entities
Artists
- Alison Green
- Group Material
- Charles Esche
- Michael Corris
Institutions
- Afterall
- Central Saint Martins
- Art Monthly
- Source
- Reaktion Books
Locations
- Manhattan
- Lower East Side
- New York
Sources
- Afterall —