Renowned critic-of-criticism to host symposium

Some days, everyone’s a critic.

But if they are, what sort of influence do they wield? Really? And on whom?

And why is that important?

A field of respected art critics, scholars, curators and historians from across the country will converge on Madison Thursday-Friday, Nov. 11-12, for a special symposium on contemporary art criticism and culture.

Organized and hosted by art critic and curator Michael Brenson, this fall’s interdisciplinary artist-in-residence, the symposium will explore such issues as critical authority and the interests it serves, ways in which arts criticism has shaped the careers of artists, and the thinking of curators and the generally accepted understanding of a given historical moment.

Not a moment too soon, Brenson says. His class, Critical Issues in Arts Criticism From Rodin Through the Present, aims to influence a new generation of critics by exploring different approaches to writing criticism and defining the new frontiers for art critics.

“Art criticism is failing miserably to meet the challenges of this time,” he says. “American art, artists and arts institutions are struggling because so few critics have been willing to participate in the struggle and examine their role in its development and outcome.

“Art criticism, as a whole, is in trouble.”

This critic-of-criticism has spent his career devising various forums for the explorations of urgent artistic and cultural issues. His venues have included The New York Times, the Rockefeller Foundation and more. He is now an independent critic, educator and scholar.

According to UW–Madison Arts Institute interdisciplinary arts residency coordinator Kate Hewson, Brenson’s residency represents something a little different for the campus, hosted as it is by the Elvehjem Museum of Art and the UW departments of art, art history and philosophy, and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

“Usually the Arts Institute invites performing artists as interdisciplinary artists in residence, so this is something out of the ordinary for us. We’re working with different students and campus units this time,” she says.

The symposium will begin with Brenson’s keynote address at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11, followed by a reception in the Elvehjem’s Paige Court. Two sessions will be held Nov. 12: “Models of Critical Power,” beginning at 9:30 a.m., and “Criticism in History” at 1 p.m. Speakers include designer Barbara Kruger, who has worked for Mademoiselle magazine, House and Garden, Aperture and others; scholar and curator of contemporary African art Okwui Enwezor; and curator and painter Ted Potter.

All sessions are free, open to the public and will be held in L160 Elvehjem. For a complete schedule or more information, visit the symposium’s Web page or call (608) 263-2246.