Conversation XII: Crafting Continuities

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Conversation XII: Crafting Continuities
Conversation XII: Crafting Continuities
Chassica Kirchhoff, curator
20/21 Gallery, Process Space, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

So-called craft media have played an integral role in the trajectory of 20th-century art. These materials, such as glass, metal, fiber, and ceramic, are steeped in histories of labor, class, and gender, as well as regional and familial identity. Craft media therefore can convey both the meaning of the specific piece and the deeper implications of the material. Crafting Continuities, which inhabits three distinct spaces within the 20/21 Gallery, aims to inspire conversations about the implications of material and process.

The installation juxtaposes contemporary objects from the collection with their historic counterparts and with remnants of the process, such as preparatory drawings. In this way, Crafting Continuities engages deeper content found in the Spencer’s contemporary craft media artworks, while highlighting the depth of the Museum’s collection of historic artworks in these media.

Exhibition images

Works of art

김익영/金益寧 Kim Yik-yung (born 1935), covered vessel
김익영/金益寧 Kim Yik-yung (born 1935)
2004
Lino Tagliapietra (born 1934), Dinosaur (5)
Lino Tagliapietra (born 1934)
2002
pair of earrings
1700s–1800s
Lynn Basa (born 1954), More Wholesome
Lynn Basa (born 1954)
1990
Coptic textile fragment
circa 600s–800s CE
unrecorded Diné (Navajo) artist, silversmith's hammer
unrecorded Diné (Navajo) artist
late 1800s–1923
Sonja Blomdahl (born 1952), Blue/ Amber/ Cobalt (vase)
Sonja Blomdahl (born 1952)
1997
Nicolas Africano (born 1948), untitled seated figure
Nicolas Africano (born 1948)
2004
Karen LaMonte (born 1967), Chado
Karen LaMonte (born 1967)
2010
Paye and Baker Manufacturing Co. (active 1891–1920), butter knife
Paye and Baker Manufacturing Co. (active 1891–1920)
circa 1900
tupu (pin)
1700s–1800s
necklace
1700s–1800s
Paul Flindt II (1567–circa 1631), foot and cover of a cup
Paul Flindt II (1567–circa 1631)
1601–1618
vase
circa 100–400
covered box
Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)
chrismatory
circa 1450
Victor Durand Jr. (1870–1931); Vineland Flint Glass Works (active 1897–1931), vase
Victor Durand Jr. (1870–1931); Vineland Flint Glass Works (active 1897–1931)
circa 1926–1928
Barbara Eckhardt (1955–1996), Yellow Birds and Leaves
Barbara Eckhardt (1955–1996)
1989

Events

October 2, 2011
Activity
1:00–3:00PM
Gallery 317 Central Court, Gallery 405
October 8, 2011
Workshop
10:30AM–12:30PM
October 8, 2011
Workshop
1:30–3:30PM
October 13, 2011
Talk
10:00–11:00AM
Gallery 405
October 31, 2011
Talk
1:30–2:20PM
309 Auditorium
January 26, 2012
Activity
5:30–7:30PM
Gallery 317 Central Court, Gallery 405

Resources

Audio