For

Senior Years Students

Curriculum

VCE Art/Studio Arts

Aim

To consider the role of a curator in designing an exhibition.

Preparation

To do this activity you will need to:

• Read the information for Theme Two – Postwar Abstraction in Europe and Theme Nine – Contemporary Art: Public and Private.
• View the work either online or in the exhibition.
• Research through the library or Internet.

Individual Task

Imagine you are the curator of an exhibition in a large Australian public gallery that displays modern and contemporary art. You are to curate an exhibition entitled "Beyond the Surface".

Would you want to include these works by Adriana Varejão and Lucio Fontana?

Give reasons for your point of view. In your response refer to the ideas raised in the preceding description of the work and at least two of the commentaries. Also refer to the two images reproduced above. Consider your response after viewing the original.

Commentary 1

Adriana Varejão (b. 1964, Rio de Janeiro) is immersed in the complex cultural history of her native Brazil. For Varejão, works of art are vital, living organisms, and her sculptural, relief-like paintings are meant to be read as bodies, both individual and social. In Folds 2 2003, the pure, white tile 'skin' ruptures, exposing the life-blood and organs that usually remain concealed beneath the surface.
Meghan Dailey
Art critic

Commentary 2

Lucio Fontana has not made real art he has just slashed a canvas. Good art, in my opinion, includes skilfully hand painted landscapes, still lives and portraits, subjects that ordinary people can relate to. This so-called artwork is more like vandalism. It promotes destructive attitudes. Why even call this art? How can the spending of public money be justified? Adriana Varejão's Folds 2 is just as senseless to me as Fontana's work, but even more horrible and ugly; her subject matter of oozing meat is unnecessarily gory. The use of blood and guts are revolting and tasteless. Art should inspire – not ooze or slash.
Mr Phil E. Stine
Commentary opposed to the work

Commentary 3

How refreshing it is that both well known artists Fontana and Varejão produce work that is so innovative, edgy, energetic and experimental. In his time, Fontana's radical slashing of the canvas was a decisive move beyond the tradition of narrative in painting. Varejão's contemporary perspective on her country's troubled history is creative, confronting and honest.

The gallery has the freedom to bring challenging international ideas to the Australian public from cutting edge artists from across the world. If you take the time to experience the works firsthand, and then take the next step to understand their place in art history, you'll be richly rewarded.
Ms Gen. R. Uos
Commentary in favour of the work