Ghosts: Memory, Place and the Persistence of Visions

Catalog description

How often do we inhabit a place where our perceptions of it are uniquely vivid to us but are not necessarily seen by others? Is it important to differentiate between what is an authentic memory, a spectral intrusion or a random fragment from our imagination? What are the memories we have of people in places that haunt us and never leave us? What function do ghosts serve in our lives (spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, psychologically and sociologically)? How do the cultural, familial and personal mythologies that we have inherited invite the specters that visit us from time to time? Should our ghosts remain hidden in the shadows or be given presence in the world through intentional acts of creative expression? How have the mystical traditions of the afterlife become visible throughout history, cultures, religions, and a broad range of artistic disciplines? How can we become increasingly aware of the inexplicable in our daily lives and routines? What happens in us when our memories collide with places we know/discover that suddenly seem infused with ephemeral phenomena that we can’t simply explain? This class is devoted to learning about how a broad range of artists in different artistic disciplines have sought to explain, explore and reveal the world of ghosts and the traces of life that are sometimes felt, sometimes seen, and sometimes deeply impactful on how we understand ourselves in the world. Students will investigate how to identify and liberate the ghosts in their lives through in depth research, artistic production, and critical analysis. Research is a core component of artistic practice and will serve as the basis for creative exploration, discovery and the transformation of ideas into material form. Working across artistic fields will serve as the primary collaborative bridge between participants in the class. New York City will serve as backdrop for…