Salón–Sala–Salón

Chemi Rosado-Seijo, Salón–Sala–Salón (Classroom/Gallery/Classroom), 2017. Collaboration with the Lower Manhattan Arts Academy and instructor Julie Roinos, 2017 Biennial. Photograph by Filip Wolak

A standout work of the 2017 Whitney Biennial was a collaboration between artist Chemi Rosado-Seijo and the Lower Manhattan Arts Academy (LOMA), one of the Whitney’s Partnership Schools. Rosado-Seijo proposed that the Museum “switch” a gallery and classroom. This meant that artworks by Biennial artists Sky Hopinka and Jessi Reaves were on view at the school and an eleventh grade art class came to “school” at the Whitney every Tuesday afternoon. Biennial visitors could check out the installation at the school on weekends.

During the exhibition, Rosado-Seijo worked with the students in their classroom at the Museum every month and developed special projects with Julie Roinos, their art teacher, and Whitney Educator Melanie Adsit.

In addition to working with Rosado-Seijo, LOMA students participated in a video shoot and banner parade with Biennial artist Cauleen Smith and a series of sconce making workshops with Jessi Reaves. For more about the project, see the images below. All photographs by Filip Wolak.

By Heather Maxson, Director of School, Youth, and Family Programs