Reception and Talk: Remapping the Pre-Invented World Sat, Sept 29, 2018, 1–2:30 pm

Reception and Talk: Remapping the Pre-Invented World

Sat, Sept 29, 2018
1–2:30 pm

Colorful graphic artwork of a man falling.
Colorful graphic artwork of a man falling.

David Wojnarowicz (1954-1992), Untitled (Falling man and map of the U.S.A.), 1982. Screenprint: sheet, 23 15/16 x 17 7/8 in. (60.8 x 45.4 cm); image, 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. (31.8 x 31.8 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from the Print Committee 2001.269. © The Estate of David Wojnarowicz and P.P.O.W. Gallery, New York

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Floor 8, Tuft Trustee Room

For Patron, Circle, Fellow, and Sponsor members

“Architecture, in its essence, is very much about power.”
—Carrie Mae Weems

“I’m trying to lift off the weight of the pre-invented world so I can see what’s underneath it all.”
—David Wojnarowicz

In this talk, teaching fellow Joshua Lubin-Levy will consider depictions of land and urban space in the art of David Wojnarowicz (1954–1992) through the lens of site and site-specificity. The discussion will also address themes from Pacha, Llaqta, Wasichay: Indigenous Space, Modern Architecture, New Art, an exhibition of work by seven contemporary artists exploring Indigenous thinking about the built environment. Galvanized by his position as an outsider—poor, queer, HIV-positive—Wojnarowicz created a visual vocabulary of buildings, maps, and other motifs that function as symbols for the mainstream political institutions and cultural norms which he sought to critique. Drawing centrally on his concept of the pre-invented world, this lecture will explore the idea of mapping a queer relationship to the present. A wine reception will be available throughout the event. 

Talk
1–2 pm 

Reception
2–2:30 pm

This event has reached capacity.

Patron, Circle, Fellow, and Sponsor members are invited to this event. Registration instructions will be provided by email. 

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On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Maya Man, A Realistic Day In My Life Living In New York City

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

On the Hour projects can contain motion and sound. To respect your accessibility settings autoplay is disabled.