Graduate Art History Association

Will was hoping for an opening of April 3. Maryam asked what our specific tasks would be, since an exhibition involves a large amount of work. First, the curators would look around the studios and find art to connect together into cohesive ideas and shows. The CIA would take care of wall labels, most of which would be tombstone format. We would write the statement for the show – very short – no more than 150 words (the example of a previous curator’s multi-page statement was brought up as an example of what not to do).
Maryam made the comparison that this would be like our curating shows at the Cleveland Foundation, but on a larger scale and with more artists. Christina brought up the point that with the Cleveland Foundation, the curator is responsible for doing it all. Maryam noted that just weeding out the artists took a long time. With comprehensive exams coming up, it might be better to approach first years or doctoral students. Maryam suggested if not April, perhaps the exhibition could come later, and we could at least start talking. We suggested contacting Dr. Helmreich and Dr. Olszewski, and see what they think. Dr. Helmreich might be interested for the museum studies program. Another suggestion came up that perhaps we could narrow it down to one show a semester.
Will, a fourth year painting student, admitted that from his experience of being in and curating shows that it does involve a little bit of work, but it’s a very good experience. Will then gave us a bit more history on the Coffee Shop Gallery. There was an actual coffee shop in there a while ago, about 15 year, and then it was converted to a gallery space. We mentioned seeing a show in there featuring a pile of junk in the center. Will said his goal is to move away from the less professional style of exhibiting, and try to promote a gallery that shows good, hard work that could potentially be seen in other venues (i.e. ok you have a pile of trash....now explain to me why you have it). He wants the gallery to be seen as a kind of lab into how exhibitions change the way these works are looked at, both by the artist and the viewer. Because it’s a small, student run gallery, curators and artists are able to take risks in areas they might not be able to in more formal situations.
Maryam suggested we send out email to department, and see who’s interested. Maybe we could help out in some ways or make the exhibit smaller. We will see what people think, and then set up another meeting with Will. Perhaps we will figure out a schedule involving only three shows. We could also potentially have multiple curators (although not too many, since that is more hindrance than help). Will emphasized that the time-based and biomedical artists don’t have much of an opportunity to show their work, and this would be a good opportunity for them. Will also mentioned finding out who his equivalent advisor would be, and putting them in contact with Dr. Helmreich or Dr. Olszewski. Will also suggested we might do a sort of seed show to get the ball rolling. Maryam also suggested we let the undergraduates know about this opportunity.

Faculty representatives – Bethany and Lourdes said they haven’t been invited to a meeting since last semester. Christina said it was the same way last year, although the year before, the representatives often went.

Graduate Student Senate – Erin went to the last Graduate Student Senate meeting, and summarized some of the more salient points. The GSS discussed some changes to the bylaws, enabling them to more easily support summer programs. Also, they discussed the results of the SIS survey, and concluded that there was a lot of confusion about the PPOS (Planned Program of Study) and requirements for graduation. Students are expected to fill out the PPOS by graduation, although we aren’t sure if this happens when we discuss our coursework with our advisors, or if we also have to do something separate. Erin will email Dr. Scallen to double check on the procedure.

Art talk – Maryam mentioned that we are short on art talk volunteers this semester. Anyone interested can contact Maryam. They can present on any topic, even their methods presentations. It’s a great opportunity to try out your ideas in front of a more informal audience of your peers, and can be good practice for conferences. Rachel’s Art Talk is Next Thursday.

Non-GAHA events coming up:
Tonight, Steven Conn is presenting a talk in Clark Hall on museums and the American intellectual life. Tomorrow night, the AAWR (Artists’ Archives of the Western Reserve) and the Sculpture Center have an opening for their respective shows. Also tomorrow is the PhD roundtable, in Mather 107, just down the hall from Mather 100.

- AAWR and Sculpture Center Openings Friday evening
- Art and Power and Friedlander shows at the CMA open Sunday
- Art Talk Thursday
- March 19, 5-7pm Maryam’s opening at the Cleveland Foundation in the Hanna building
- Good food and art
- Let Maryam know if you need directions or want to carpool

Scheduled GAHA events coming up:
-PhD roundtable – noon tomorrow
- A chance to ask PhDs questions
-Sat., March 21 – Clothing Exchange at Jen’s house. We should look into some place to take the extra clothing. There is a Good Will in Shaker, as well as somewhere around Cedar and Lee. There may also be a service that can pick up the cloths, which Amanda is going to look into.
- Tour of Art and Power in the Central African Savanna exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art by Dr. Petridis—5:30 pm, Wednesday, March 25
- Meeting with Cleveland Museum of Art Director Timothy Rub—5:30 pm, Tuesday, April 14
- Tour of the Lee Friedlander exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art by CMA photography curator Tom Hinson—Friday, April 17 at noon

Unscheduled GAHA events coming up:
- Cleveland Clinic tour sometime in March
- Clinic acquiring two new objects
- Will follow up with Jen for date and time
- Room for less than 15 people, must rsvp