Contemporary art exhibition explores artists as witnesses

September 1, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Harn Museum of Art is now featuring Art, Media and Material Witness: Contemporary Art from the Harn Museum Collection. The art exhibition views historical events through the perspectives of artists and features works by 25 contemporary artists from the United States, Latin America and Africa until Aug. 1, 2010.

The exhibition proposes the artist as a material witness, defined as “a witness whose testimony is both relevant to the matter at issue and required in order to resolve the matter.” Questions that emerge include the significance of art in society’s discourse, whether art is essential and whether art can change the way we imagine our world.

Exploring the relationship between artists and the historical, political and social challenges of their time, the works challenge circumstances through irony and humor. They also question and reflect on historical representations of culture and identity.

“This exhibition brings together an exciting mix of artists, including painters, photographers, sculptors and filmmakers,” said Kerry Oliver-Smith, curator of contemporary art. “Each work provokes challenging questions and reflection regarding the role of art in society.”

Oliver-Smith will be giving two gallery talks to Harn Museum visitors. The first will focus on works by Latin American artists after a film screening for the 5th Annual Gainesville Latino Film Festival at 2 p.m. on Sept. 19. The second talk will be at 3 p.m. on Sept. 27. Additionally, docents will give an exhibition spotlight tour of the exhibition at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4.

Art, Media and Material Witness features several new acquisitions and important loans to the museum. Artists in the exhibition include African artists El Anatsui, William Kentridge and Magdalene Odundo, and American artists include Kehinde Wiley, Cindy Sherman and Eric Fischl. The exhibition showcases a growing collection of Latin American artists, including Los Carpinteros, Carlos Garaicoa and Roberto Matta. Night Shift, a film by Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler, is featured through Jan. 6, 2010.

Admission to the Harn Museum is free. For more information, visit www.harn.ufl.edu or call 352-392-9826.