Conversation XII: Politics as Symbol/Symbol as Politics

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

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Conversation XII: Politics as Symbol/Symbol as Politics
Burdett Loomis, curator
Celka Straughn, curator
July 17, 2012–January 27, 2013
Gallery 405, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Politics is at the vertex of substance and symbol, and there is no political spectacle to match an American presidential election. Each such contest produces thousands of images and scenes, almost every one planned and executed like a work of art, be it a poster, portrait, or performance. This exhibition includes works ranging from buttons to historic photographs to highly politicized prints to abstract art. They are not necessarily about presidents or presidential elections; rather, they explore the relationship between politics and art, emphasizing more the symbol than the substance.

This exhibition is curated by Burdett Loomis, professor of political science at the University of Kansas, and has been organized with the Andrew W. Mellon Department of Academic Programs at the Spencer Museum of Art.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Civic Virtue, Ronald Brooks Kitaj (1932–2007)
Ronald Brooks Kitaj (1932–2007)
Civic Virtue, 1967
Site of Contestation, Michael Krueger (born 1967)
Michael Krueger (born 1967)
New York Victory (The Part of the Administration that Feels Very Much Indorsed), Thomas Nast (1840–1902)
Thomas Nast (1840–1902)
Dwight Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States, Larry Schwarm (born 1944)
Larry Schwarm (born 1944)
Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, Larry Schwarm (born 1944)
Larry Schwarm (born 1944)
"Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Terry Southern, John Sack, –Chicago!", Carl Fischer (1924–2023); George Lois (1931–2022)
Carl Fischer (1924–2023); George Lois (1931–2022)
The Americans, Robert Frank (1924–2019)
Robert Frank (1924–2019)
The Americans, 1955–1956
Alcade (The Mayor), Ruben III Dario
Ruben III Dario
Relax Senator Helms, the art world is your kind of place!, Guerrilla Girls (active 1985–present)
Guerrilla Girls (active 1985–present)
Flags, Jasper Johns (born 1930); Universal Limited Art Editions (founded 1957)
Jasper Johns (born 1930); Universal Limited Art Editions (founded 1957)
Flags, 1967–1968
untitled, Charles Rodrigues (1926–2004)
Charles Rodrigues (1926–2004)
untitled, circa 1972
Six Mile Bottom, Frank Stella (1936–2024); Gemini G.E.L. (founded 1966)
Frank Stella (1936–2024); Gemini G.E.L. (founded 1966)
Bell and Everett campaign medal for 1860 Presidential campaign
Citizen!, Michael Krueger (born 1967); Joseph S. Lewis (born 1953)
Michael Krueger (born 1967); Joseph S. Lewis (born 1953)
Citizen!, 1999
Right of Assembly, Arthur S. Siegel (1913–1978)
Arthur S. Siegel (1913–1978)
Young Girl in Textile Factory, Lewis Wickes Hine (1874–1940)
Lewis Wickes Hine (1874–1940)
untitled, Ellsworth Kelly (1923–2015); Wadsworth Atheneum
Ellsworth Kelly (1923–2015); Wadsworth Atheneum
untitled, 1964
Ark, Zigmunds Priede (born 1935); Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008); Universal Limited Art Editions (founded 1957)
Zigmunds Priede (born 1935); Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008); Universal Limited Art Editions (founded 1957)
Ark, 1964
Washington, D.C., Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023)
Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023)
"The American Playground...", Andy Warhol (1928–1987)
Andy Warhol (1928–1987)
S & H Green Stamps, Andy Warhol (1928–1987)
Andy Warhol (1928–1987)
Nixon, David Levine (1926–2009)
David Levine (1926–2009)
Nixon, 1970
Doers, Michael Sims (born 1944); Lawrence Lithography Workshop (active 2001–present); Archie Scott Gobber (born 1965); Cecilia Bakker
Michael Sims (born 1944); Lawrence Lithography Workshop (active 2001–present); Archie Scott Gobber (born 1965); Cecilia Bakker
Doers, 2004
Love It Or Leave It, Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005)
Eugene McCarthy (1916–2005)
Trust Me (Trust Me, Red), Richard Basil Mock (1944–2006)
Richard Basil Mock (1944–2006)
Washington, D.C., 1946-49, In the Shadows of the Capitol, Marion Palfi (1907–1978)
Marion Palfi (1907–1978)
Ida y Vuelta (Going and Returning), Juan Genovés (1930–2020)
Juan Genovés (1930–2020)
cloth with Shehu Shagari, unrecorded Hausa-Fulani artist
unrecorded Hausa-Fulani artist

Events

June 4, 2012
Tour
Politics as Symbol
2:45–5:00PM
303A Print Study Room, Gallery 405
September 30, 2012
Talk
Politics as Symbol/Symbol as Politics: Curator’s Perspective
2:00–3:00PM
Gallery 405
October 3, 2012
Talk
Judging Obama: National Politics Five Weeks from Election Day
12:00–1:00PM
October 6, 2012
Activity
Vote for Me!
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 405
October 7, 2012
Activity
Vote for Me!
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 405
October 13, 2012
Activity
Vote for Me!
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 405
October 14, 2012
Activity
Vote for Me!
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 405
October 17, 2012
Screening
Mr. Moore Runs for Washington
5:00–6:30PM
Gallery 405: 20/21 Gallery Conversation Wall
October 18, 2012
Talk
Distance and Intimacy: Art, Fiction, and Politics
5:30–7:30PM
Watson Library Third Floor West
October 20, 2012
Activity
Vote for Me!
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 405
October 21, 2012
Activity
Vote for Me!
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 405
October 25, 2012
Talk
Politics as Symbol/Symbol as Politics
10:00–11:00AM
Gallery 405
October 27, 2012
Activity
Vote for Me!
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 405
November 13, 2012
Talk
Erik Herron presents Symbols in Campaigns: The Politics, Art, and Design of Ballots and Posters
12:00–12:45PM
Gallery 405: 20/21 Conversation Wall