Shared Spaces: Social Media and Museum Structures

This two-part symposium addresses the transformation of the museum in the age of social media. How does the presence of networked digital devices affect our experience of art in the museum’s galleries? In what ways do these historical shifts in the mediation of our perception reflect our beliefs about the function of the museum in our society? How can we understand the role that the numerous corporate digital platforms utilized by museums and their publics play in the presentation of art? We will explore the ways in which rapid public sharing from within the museum transforms our attitudes toward works of art and the spaces that house them, seeking to assess the stakes of this affective digital economy. 

Distinguished scholars, curators, and artists discuss these questions in two sections—a panel of long-form presentations followed by a fast-paced series of short creative lecture propositions, followed by discussion among audience and participants. 

Part I: Long-form Panel
6:30–7:45 pm
Opening remarks and discussion moderated by Christiane Paul.

Participants:
Jonathan Crary
Edward A. Shanken
Donna De Salvo

Part II: Micro-lectures
8–9:30 pm
Seven-minute presentations.
Discussion (moderated by Christiane Paul and Gordon Hall).

Participants:
Ben Thorp Brown
Lauren Cornell
João Enxuto  and Erica Love
Sarah Hromack
Forrest Nash
Mendi and Keith Obadike
Will Pappenheimer
Brad Troemel

Shared Spaces is organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art and Gordon Hall, Director of the Center for Experimental Lectures, and João Enxuto and Erica Love, Whitney Independent Study Program, 2012–2013.

This event will be utilizing a site-specific network developed by programmer and activist Dan Phiffer. Please bring your laptop or device for use.

$8 general admission; $6 senior citizens and students. 

This program is free for members but advance registration is required by emailing memberinfo@whitney.org with your name and membership number.