Gallatin Arts Festival 2009

Download the 2009 Gallatin Arts Festival catalog here.

Artistic Director Statement:

“Welcome to GAF 2009! This year we showcase the imaginative and innovative thinking of students from the visual and performing arts who have created work in response to the theme, New Worlds/New Works. In November, the Student Leadership Team devised the theme as a means of challenging artists to think about the ways in which they envision the future, explore new realities, or consider the past as it has engaged with possible futures. The arts festival serves as an opportunity for the Gallatin community to consider, dream, and reflect on art that stimulates fresh thinking and new connections about the world we inhabit. Thank you for joining us!”

-Kristin Horton, Artistic Director

Curatorial Statements:

“As we find ourselves in this period of government transition and economic turbulence, Gallatin students are trying to find their footing as educated adults and thoughtful artists. The 2009 Gallatin Arts Festival: “New Worlds/New Works” presents new ways of seeing and considering our present condition while offering visions for the future.

Each student in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study approaches his or her studies from a variety of perspectives. GAF visual artists are no different; they approach this year’s theme from various points of view – some choose to focus on the individual and the introspective while others take on a broader and more global perspective. The artists explore their own realities to create provocative works of art that consider cultures abroad, gender identity, media influence, as well as observations of their immediate surroundings.

I’ve had the great pleasure of working with these artists as Visual Artist Liaison for this year’s festival. They are smart, engaging, and dedicated to their work. As Gallatin students, we are very lucky to have the opportunity to showcase our work and to have dedicated professionals help guide our ideas. As you pass through the galleries, I hope you enjoy the insightfulness of the work and the thoughts it provokes.”

-Maria Kucinski, Visual Arts Liaison

“In the midst of a changing economy, a new president, and a barrage of ever-improving technology, it is clear that we are on the brink of something. Uncertain about the future, we can see that the world around us is changing. And at the same time, we are constantly bombarded by millions of images telling us how to look, think, and feel.

The 2009 Gallatin Arts Festival is a response to being young in the
new world that we inhabit, a world specific to our generation. We all have the privilege of living in a vibrant city where inspiration can be found around every corner, yet we each have a unique perspective. This year’s artists responded to the world around them with everything from explorations of the self and the body to life in China and Muslim Africa. Walking into the gallery, we are beckoned into dreamlike urban landscapes and treated to the sight of a gown made entirely of flowers. We are challenged to question the power of digital manipulation, to examine queer identity, and to be aware of the saturation of media messages in our culture. I feel privileged to be part of an event that celebrates the far ranging abilities of the students here, giving them the opportunity to share their creations with others. On top of multiple classes, jobs, and internships, these students took the time to translate their thoughts into art, not an easy task, given the never-ending responsibilities and pressures of daily life. I have also been lucky enough to work with a group of motivated teachers and students who have spent months putting this festival together.

All of this work is a testament not only to the ingenuity and talent of students at Gallatin, but to the fact that they are constantly stopping to think about and question the world around them. Gallatin students have a wide array of interests, but we all have something in common: we think outside the box. And it shows.”

-Gina Pollack, Gallery Curator

About the Gallatin Arts Festival:

MISSION

The Gallatin Arts Festival is a week-long, community-wide celebration of the unique artistry and interdisciplinary scholarship of students at NYU’s Gallatin School. The festival features student work in the visual and performing arts and serves as a galvanizing force and springboard for action and discussion through the creation and presentation of artistic work.

HISTORY

The Gallatin Arts Festival originated in 1992 as a collaborative effort between Professor Laurin Raiken and graduate student Barry Spanier. Under Professor Raiken’s guidance, Spanier developed the festival as part of his master’s thesis. Since then GAF has expanded into the largest public event sponsored by the Gallatin School. GAF provides hands-on opportunities for students to gain knowledge of the process required to produce a multidisciplinary arts festival. Under guidance from members of the arts faculty and student affairs, the Student Leadership Team serves as the primary support for the festival. GAF is a learning experience emphasizing the development of ideas and collaborative innovation.