The Upstairs Artspace will host a panel discussion, “Who Sez It’s Art?,” on Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m.
The debate will focus on how a work of art gets defined, categorized and accepted as art by art historians, educators and critics – and ultimately, by the general public.
The panel moderator will be Jolene Mechanic, curator of the current exhibit at the Upstairs, “Flood and the Pump: Galleries with Attitude.” She will be joined by several of the exhibit’s participating artists, including Cory Bradley, New York City; Bridget Conn, Severn Eaton, Larkin Ford and Sean “Jinx” Pace, Asheville; and Patrick Glover, Charlotte.
People who work at art galleries and museums are familiar with visitors’ questions about why a painting or piece of sculpture is considered art. Often the reference is to a work that’s experimental and “outside the box” of traditional art.
The artists in “Flood and The Pump” are mostly young, want to express a position on social and political causes through their art and are willing to take risks. At the same time, many are rapidly gaining professional recognition and success. So they are credible commentators on the panel’s general subject, event organizers said.
Mechanic promises an exciting discourse with plenty of audience participation.
“I hope the evening will broaden everyone’s definition of what constitutes art,” Mechanic said. “Art is exploding. There’s the whole digital thing like computers and cell phones. But is it art?”
The Upstairs doors will open at 6:15 p.m. The program is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served. For more information call 828-859-2828.
– article submitted by Nancy Holmes