Boone, NC – Appalachian State University is thrilled to announce a captivating public lecture by the world-renowned artist, scholar, and activist Michael Rakowitz on April 23, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the I.G. Greer Auditorium. This free event, part of Rakowitz's three-day residency in the Department of Art, promises to be a landmark occasion that invites the community into a profound exploration of cultural diversity, international perspectives, and pressing global issues.
Michael Rakowitz (b. 1973, New York, US) lives and works in Chicago. His work has appeared in venues worldwide including at Documenta (13), Kassel; the 16th Sydney Biennial; the 10th and 14th Istanbul Biennials; the 8th, 14th, and 15th Sharjah Biennials; the Cleveland Triennial; Kiasma, Helsinki; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Victoria & Albert Museum, London; MoMA, New York; Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven. He has had solo exhibitions at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead; Frac Lorraine, Metz; Malmo Konsthall; Tate Modern, London; MCA, Chicago, among others. From 2019-2020, a survey of Rakowitz's work traveled from Whitechapel Gallery in London to Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea in Turin, to the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai. He is the recipient of the 2020 Nasher Prize; the 2018 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts; a 2012 Tiffany Foundation Award; a 2007 Sharjah Biennial Jury Award; a 2006 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship Grant; the 2003 Dena Foundation Award; and the 2002 Design 21 Grand Prix from UNESCO. Rakowitz was awarded the 2018-2020 Fourth Plinth Commission in London's Trafalgar Square.
"Hosting Michael Rakowitz allows us to deepen connections in North Carolina communities by exploring cultural diversity through international knowledge, perspectives, and viewpoints. Western North Carolinians can be part of international issues and debates as Michael's profound work is at the intersection of problem-solving and troublemaking and interrogates the damages caused by long-term political conflict and colonialism through the lens of the visual arts," said Dr. Erin Peters, Assistant Professor of Art & Visual Culture.
Rakowitz's public lecture is part of his three-day residency as a visiting artist-scholar in the Department of Art. Created by the Art & Visual Culture program in collaboration with the Honors College, Rakowitz will visit classes; talk with faculty, staff, and students; and will be a respondent in the "Ancient Art & Visual Culture in Contemporary Contexts" roundtable discussion created by honors students and guest scholars in ARH 4515 + HON 3515 on Wednesday April 24 2-3:15 pm in TCVA 1102. Free and open to all.
Public Events
April 23: Artist Lecture by Michael Rakowitz, 6:30 PM, I.G. Greer Auditorium, Appalachian State University, 401 Academy Street Boone, North Carolina 28608
April 24: Ancient Art & Visual Culture in Contemporary Contexts roundtable discussion, 2:00 to 3:15 PM, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts room 1102, Appalachian State University, 423 West King Street, Boone, NC 28608
Public parking is available in the Rivers Street Parking Deck (https://parking.appstate.edu/visitor-parking) and in downtown Boone (https://www.townofboone.net/33 7/Parking).
The Department of Art thanks our supporters the Smith Gallery, the Office of Diversity, the Honors College, and North Carolina Humanities. The Department of Art received a grant from North Carolina Humanities to support Rakowitz's public lecture. North Carolina Humanities is a statewide nonprofit and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Join us for this enlightening experience as we welcome Michael Rakowitz to Appalachian State University. For more information about this event and the Department of Art, please visit https://art.appstate.edu/.
About the Department of Art at Appalachian State University
The Art Department's mission is to engage students in visual art and design as preparation for creative careers and responsible global citizenship. This mission is achieved by cultivating students' abilities to see, think and respond in visually creative manners through involvement with a broad range of practical and theoretical issues in art education, art history, art management, commercial photography, graphic arts and imaging technology, graphic design, and studio art. Through community arts programming, internships, field trips, student exhibitions and international study, the Art Department provides students meaningful opportunities to interact with the larger art and design world. The Department maintains a faculty whose members are committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, creative activity and relevant professional activities. Further, the Art Department celebrates a diversity of thought, encourages creative risk-taking and supports multi-disciplinary inquiry and collaboration.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more about the college at https://cfaa.appstate.edu
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls 21,253 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
About North Carolina Humanities
Through public humanities programs and grantmaking, North Carolina Humanities connects North Carolinians with cultural experiences that spur dialogue, deepen human connections, and inspire community. North Carolina Humanities is a statewide nonprofit and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more visit www.nchumanities.org. Any views, findings, conclusions, opinions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of NC Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Appalachian State Press Contact
PJ Wirchansky
(828) 262-7249
wirchanskypj@appstate.edu
North Carolina Humanities Press Contact
Melanie Moore Richeson
(704) 687-1520
mmoore@nchumanities.org
Michael Rakowitz
Michael Rakowitz