Term 1

Instructor: Prof. CHAN, Yuk Keung Kurt

Introduction

Working in public sphere becomes an important trendy practice of contemporary art starting from the mid 90’s. Artist of new generation are getting more interests in conceiving their work in public sphere, instead of private studio and gallery, where art was normally produced and displayed.

Practice of art in public sphere has changed the rules of games in art making. Artist needs to take into consideration of being responsible to the others, how to work with others, especially with those who doesn’t necessarily has compassion in art. When artists consider themselves as the stakeholder in the society, the definition and function of art expand and change considerably, resulting the changes in media, techniques and purposes.

The course will touch on main questions such as:
1) What kind of strategy the artist needs to adopt in order to work in pubic sphere?
2) What is the functional and non-functional aspects of public art?
3) Top down and/or bottom-up approaches of public art?

About Prof. Chan, Yuk Keung, Kurt

Prof Chan is a retired professor after teaching 27 years in the Department of Fine Arts, CUHK. He is a practicing artist and an art educator, who has participated in over 100 exhibitions which include The 51st Venice Biennale and the chief editors of the Hong Kong Visual Art Yearbook for several years. Now serving as member of board of directors of Para/Site, Sau Kee School of Creativity and Rooftop Institute.