Disturbing the Piece

We’re turning our attention to the magical side of art history. When we think of the Harry Potter series, whether it’s the books or films, a very specific aesthetic comes to mind. J.K. Rowling’s world is full of castles, cauldrons, and cloaks. A very specific aesthetic comes to mind when we think of Hogwarts and the wizarding world. What aspects of art history does Rowling draw from and where does she deviate from tradition?

My two...

In the summer of 1937, two art exhibits were on display in Munich, Germany. One glorified the German state while the other was created with the intention of shaming and debasing the artwork on display. The art included in the latter now has the title of modern masterpiece. However, during the 1930s it, and the infamous exhibit, were known as “Degenerate.”

In this series, I’ll examine an exhibit that’s had a lasting impression on ar...

Once an abandon military base in West Texas, Marfa is now a modern-day art pilgrimage site. Thanks to artist Donald Judd the Chinati Foundation unites art, buildings, and the natural environment. I visited the site and traveled to the Judd Foundation’s Spring Street location to speak to Director of Marfa Programs & Archivist, Caitlin Murray about the artist who decided to forgo the traditional route and embrace a new possibility fo...

We’re back with another Exhibit Revisit episode. This time we’re looking at the China Avant-Garde exhibit of 1989 (otherwise known as “No U-Turn”) at the National Art Museum in Beijing. This exhibit was a watershed moment between two phases of contemporary Chinese art. We’ll examine why it was so controversial and which artists caused the most trouble with the censorship committee.

In this series, I’ll examine an exhibit that’s had...

What’s art history without the inclusion of female artists? My guest explains why a complete picture of history is impossible when you view it through the dominant narrative instead of hearing a plurality of voices. Associate Curator, Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, Brooklyn Museum and co-curator of “Half the Picture: A Feminist Look at the Collection,” Carmen Hermo.

Carmen talks with me about the exhibit (at the Broo...

I have Catherine Couturier on the podcast to talk about the ins and outs of running a for-profit art gallery. Having worked in the non-profit sector, I was curious about how this industry operated, and Catherine delivered. We get into the challenges of the job, how artists can successfully work with galleries, and why you should be embracing your inner prom queen. Catherine is the owner and director of Catherine Couturier Gallery i...

What goes into creating an art history textbook? That’s what I wanted to find out in today’s episode. I’m speaking with Dr. Michael Cothren, editor of the Stokstad survey textbooks. Michael and I spoke about finding the balance between writing for those who will major in art history and those who will end up only taking the survey course. He also talked about how the books were a serious departure from others on the market when Mar...

This episode features curator Risa Puleo and the exhibit Walls Turned Sideways: Artists Confront the Justice System at the Contemporary Art Museum Houston. From profiling to incarceration, Risa takes us through each step of the criminal justice system and how artists are responding to it.

These episodes will give you background information on exhibits currently on display somewhere in the country. They are perfect if you want to kn...

I’ve got Erin back on the podcast to help me dissect the idea of the “artist as genius.” Since the rise of Romanticism in the 19th century, artists have been handed the baggage of genius. It’s common to hear tales of illegal activities and debauchery alongside artworks labeled “masterpiece.” Erin and I go into depth discussing the pros and cons of the idea, how the idea of genius is gendered, and wonder if you really can separate t...