Friday, April 13, 2007

Joshua Bell in a DC Metro station

This article hits on a number of the things we've talked about already. If you forgive the often cheesy writing, I think it's really quite something - at least something to talk about.

I think it's interesting that this was approached as a journalistic "experiment" rather than a performance or some other expression of an art event.

Any thoughts, in terms of the social interaction (or lack thereof), as well as context and site specificity?

"Learning to inhabit the world in a better way."

Hello readers-

This blog will serve as a forum for discussion on the topic of, yes, Relational Aesthetics. It is part of a seminar course at Northwestern University, led by Lane Relyea, in which we study and discuss this and related material. You can find our class blog in my links.

For any visitors not in the class, Relational Aesthetics refers, at least in part, to art which engages/addresses/exists as some kind of social or interactive behavior. If interested, you can look for Nicolas Bourriaud's work, or, if not quite so dedicated, check out this handy glossary:

http://www.gairspace.org.uk/htm/bourr.htm


I will not vouch for any official academic credibility, but it looks about right to me. Comments from those in the know?

In subsequent posts, I will be linking to/commenting on articles, events, and thoughts related to the course material. Thanks for reading/relating!