In preparation for the fall VAP Art Criticism events, I will be running three discussions, open to everyone in the SAIC community.

These discussions will be held in Michigan 707

1. Open discussion of the state of art criticism
Friday September 30, 4:30 - 5:30, place TBA

Everyone is invited to talk about the current condition of art criticism. Does criticism matter? Is there enough criticism, either in School or outside it? Who are the most interesting critics?
I will introduce this fall's VAP events, and talk about what led up to them.

2. Reading group on art criticism
Same day, same place, 5:30 - 7:00

This is the first of two reading groups in preparation for the VAP public roundtable, "States of Art Criticism," which will be October 11. The roundtable will be published as a book. Also in the book there will be another roundtable that was held this last spring in Ireland. The transcript of the roundtable is being read by all the participants of the October roundtable. In this reading group we will discuss the roundtable in Ireland and the background of the SAIC event.

If you'd like to come please email, jelkins@artic.edu

3. Reading group on at criticism
Tuesday October 4, 4:30 - 6:00, place TBA

This is the second of two reading groups in preparation for the VAP public roundtable, "States of Art Criticism." In this group, we will read essays by the critics who will be attending the October roundtable. If you'd like to come please email, jelkins@artic.edu, for the readings.

SAIC presents a major international event on art criticism. SAIC will host some of the world's most important art critics and theorists for a series of lectures, seminars, workshops, and roundtables.

A sample of presenters:

James Elkins-Conditions of Art Criticism-10/10, 12-1p.m. SAIC
Auditorium, 280 S. Columbus

Helene Cixous-Arts of Escaping: Simon Hantai, Roni Horn and Other
Writers-10/10, 6p.m. Maclean Center, SAIC Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave.

Public Roundtable-States of Art Criticism-10/11,1-4p.m. Morton
Auditorium, 111 S. Michigan (with: James Elkins, Dave Hickey, Ariella

Budick, James Panero, Michael Newman, Stephen Melville)
Dave Hickey-Art After Criticism-10/11, 6 p.m. Fullerton Auditorium,
111 S. Michigan

Plus: Seminar (James Panero) and Panel Discussions (Kathryn Hixson
& Michelle Grabner)

Please visit this site for all listings.
Or contact the Visiting Artists Program School of the Art Institute of Chicago
at 312-443-4799

Initially this blog was designed as a place to share questions, thoughts, and discussions concerning the upcoming VAP Symposium. My hope is that after the symposium over, this forum will continue to address important topics in both Art Criticism and the larger artistic world.