Unpredictability and the Cat: Luis Camnitzer on Art and Education

On March 16, 2022, artist Luis Camnitzer joined us in the ICA’s Royall Forum to discuss his conceptual work "A Museum is a School." During this talk, Camnitzer explored the importance of art as a dynamic process rather than a product and the museum as a forum for exchange.
"A Museum is a School" (site-specific installation, 2009-present) is a conceptual work by artist Luis Camnitzer, created while he was working as an education curator at a museum. He and his team developed an interactive learning station at the museum. After reviewing the team’s ideas, the director scrapped their plans stating : “This is a museum, not a school.” Camnitzer resigned from his role shortly after and sent the director an image of the museum with the face of the building adorned with the statement, “The Museum is a school; the Artist learns to communicate; The Public learns to make connections.”
The title of the work invites us to reflect on the museum as a space for education. The subtext, “The artist learns to communicate, the public learns to make connections”, gives specific roles to artists and audiences, establishing them as colleagues in a collaborative process. "A Museum is a School" emphasizes art as a dynamic process rather than a product and the museum as a forum for exchange.
"A Museum is a School" is attributed to Luis Camnitzer as its copyright holder, but not as the author of an art work. The intention is that each institution establishes and becomes accountable to this contract made with the public. The ICA’s presentation of "A Museum is a School" is on view from March 12, 2022 - January 8, 2023.
For more information about Luis Camnitzer's "A Museum is a School" at the ICA, visit: icavcu.org/exh...
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The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University (ICA at VCU) is a contemporary arts institution located in Richmond, Virginia that showcases the art of our era, existence, and cultural moment. We are a forum for discussion and collaboration on local art to international art, activism and innovation, all through ever-evolving exhibitions, performances, films, and special programs. We invite you to participate, visit, and share in our online and in-person community.