Public Art as Social Practice: Labor & Cultural Organizing ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

“Social Practice” art or socially engaged art, focuses more on the social and political relations that may be catalyzed by art--or a critical intervention that might be enacted--than on an art object itself. Much of contemporary practice involves the creation and presentation of the work that is often an ongoing collaboration or movement building with specific communities. After gaining a grounding in these practices particularly where they intersect with race, class and gender, the student will take up further study of this work in relation to labor perspectives --- towards the development of a social practice/social justice art proposal/endeavor within their own labor community. This course is offered as part of union partnership programs and is open to non-partnership students subject to availability. It is also only offered in-class through the college’s Harry J. Van Arsdale Jr. School for Labor Studies in New York City.