Join us for a special 4-part online course taught by MICA Professor Jennie Hirsh, PhD. This program is FREE for SITE Members and $10 a class for non-members ($30 for all 4). Advanced registration required.

Pay it Forward!

If you would like to sponsor a student in our community who would like to take this course, please call Paisley Mason at 505-989-1199 ex. 28.

If you would like to be sponsored to take this course, let us know by writing us at lefrak@sitesantafe.org.

Course Overview

Divided into four 90-minute meetings, this program will explore how contemporary artists have used their creative practice to fight for social justice over the past forty years. Each week, art historian Jennie Hirsh will present a number of case studies of artwork and art actions addressing social inequity based on race, gender, and class with a view toward seeing how artists have successfully effected change through their unique visions and tenacity. A combination of lectures and discussions, the course slide presentations will be followed by seminar-style discussions and will include appearances by SITE’s Phillips Director and Chief Curator Irene Hofmann, Assistant Curator Brandee Caoba, and Ring Director of Education and Curator of Public Practice Joanne Lefrak. In advance of the first meeting, SITE will distribute a packet of short readings for participants to complete each week.

Week One: Art against Racially and Culturally Driven Discrimination

This week will examine art projects aimed at raising awareness about and dismantling instances of racially driven injustice and prejudice.

Artists will include: John Akomfrah, Tania Bruguera, Marlene Dumas, Melvin Edwards, Charles Gaines, Ellen Gallagher, Martine Gutierrez, David Hammons, Alfredo Jaar, Arthur Jafa, Glenn Ligon, Kerry James Marshall, Marc Quinn, Steve McQueen, Chris Ofili, Adrian Piper, Martin Puryear, Yinka Shonibare, Gary Simmons, Charlene Teters, and more.

Week Two: Art against Gender Discrimination

This week we will consider artists who have highlighted gender stereotypes as well as fought against homophobia and other gender-based prejudice in contemporary culture.

Artists will include: Ghada Amer, Janine Antoni, Álvaro Barrios, Rebecca Belmore, Cassils, Elliot Doughtie, Tracey Emin, Coco Fusco, Mona Hatum, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Suzanne Lacy, Yasumasa Morimora, Zanele Muholi, Kent Monkman, Shirin Neshat, Wangechi Mutu, Jenny Saville, Cindy Sherman, Lorna Simpson (pictured), and more.

Week Three: Art against Disability and Class-Driven Discrimination

This week will present artists connected to two themes: 1) artists whose work has focused on the body as a means of dismantling able-bodied prejudices and 2) artists whose work addresses socio-economic inequity.

Artists will include: Diane Arbus, Yael Bartana, Xu Bing, Jeremy Deller, Mary Duffy, Antje Ehmann/Harun Farocki, Theaster Gates, Joseph Grigely, Hans Haacke, Isaac Julien, Mari Katayama, Pepón Osorio, Joel-Peter Witkin, and more.

Week Four: Art against Climate Change and Environmental Abuses

This week will present artists who have worked to raise awareness about climate change and other environmental crises.

Artists will include: Ursula Biemann, Christo and Jean-Claude, Agnes Denes, Mark Dion, Olafur Eliasson, Andy Goldsworthy, Phaan Howng, Mary Miss, Eve Mosher, Marjetica Potrč, Aviva Rahmani, Soledad Salamé, Tomas Saraceno, Allan Sekula, Joel Sternfeld, Hito Steyerl, Mierle Laderman Ukeles, Cecilia Vicuña, Herman de Vries, Ruth Wallen, The Yes Men, Anicka Yi, and more. We will also touch on specific arts institutions—such as FLORA: Ars y Natura in Bogotà, Colombia—and exhibitions, such as Lucy Lippard’s Weather Report.