Object of the Day | Parsons Curators

The purpose of the meetings is to fill out the chart I sent which will aide our group in creating the labels and choosing Objects of the Day. We are to get a sense of whether they would be able to commit to the Tuesday presentations highlighting the previous week’s Objects. We need to effectively communicate all aspects of Object of the Day so they know it is a more involved commitment. We (education) will hopefully establish tomorrow whether the audio tour will simply highlight the Objects of the Day or if they will highlight the remaining artists to give everyone a chance at the spotlight, but in these meetings we want to get a sense of who would like to participate in the audio component provided they will come to the studio to record. The details of the studio recording and subsequent editing will be elaborated on tomorrow by our audio expert. Finally, the purpose of the visit is to take photos and/or progress work of the final selection. This final selection (if the artist had multiple submissions) is for us to choose independently based on our meetings.

How does the process of making inform the meaning of an artwork? Does making begin when the artist combines and transforms materials into something of meaning? Or are there inherent meanings in each material and how they are acquired (in terms of natural materials) or made (in terms of technologically developed materials)? Is the meaning derived from the process by which the work is made? In terms of process this can mean the specific techniques an artist utilizes, but it can also involve creating a specific environment or mindset for the creation of work. What is the role of research in creating a context for work? How does context inform meaning? The purpose of this exhibition is to explore these questions about the relationship between making and meaning in order to understand the process by which Parsons students develop and execute meaningful artworks. Please continue to come back as we investigate these questions through our Objects of the Day, which will highlight a different work every day of the show. The Object of the Day will show some element of the making process through various media such as photographs of the artists in their studio, drawings or sketchbooks, and garment boards with illustrations and swatches. We invite you to engage with the Objects of the Day by sharing your understanding of making and meaning not only based on the questions we have posed, but based on your personal understanding or connection with the work itself.

-Alana Jiwa