A rebroadcast of an hour with art historian Kirk Varnedoe

with Kirk Varnedoe
in Art & Design
on Thursday, August 21, 2003 * * * * *

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A rebroadcast of an hour-long conversation with modern art historian Kirk Varnedoe about his past work as the chief curator of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art. He also discusses his decision to step down from the position and join the faculty at the Institute for Advanced Study of Art (from February 1, 2002).

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Keywords:
Marcel Duchamp
Jasper Johns
MOMA
curator
Colon Cancer
painting
Kirk Varnedoe
Jackson Pollock
Sculpture
modern art

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    1. pjb  12/06/2008 12:33 AM Report

      I'm impressed he found lacking some explanations of "pure" abstraction: reaction to politics, insanity, etc. It's clear we haven't cracked abstract painting, will we ever? But I agree with Kirk Varnedoe, modern art has a way to go yet. For example, was Kandinsky wise to think of spirituality as a way to understand abstract art? This brings to mind a quote from Pope JP II's letter to artists:

      "With loving regard, the divine Artist passes on to the human artist a spark of his own surpassing wisdom, calling him to share in his creative power."

      Art schools need to ask on day one: Where does creativity come from? Then connect abstract art with what Saint Paul says to us:

      "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God. And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms."

      If you're an artist you can run with this, this reason to pursue abstraction.

    2. Elizabeth Garrison  07/15/2007 02:52 PM Report

      Back when I was a grad student, I bought into the negative press associated with the High/Low exhibition. Four months after this interview, I found myself sitting in on a lecture given by Mr Varnedoe on the subject of Andy Warhol. I was taking notes on napkins and whatever else I could scrounge out of my purse. This guy was that good.

    3. Evan Silberman  04/29/2007 08:07 PM Report

      We're so fortunate to have this hour. Mr. Varnedoe would have passed my knowing if it were not for you. Truly, thanks.