Speakers are brought to the Walker Art Center regularly to share their views on arts, politics, science and culture at large. In the past decades critical luminaries who have given memorable lectures include: Greil Marcus, Susan Faludi and Peter Schjeldahl pictured here.
Greil Marcus first lectured at the Walker in 1988 as part of the American Icons series. He returned in 1996 for a Mack Lecture on Modernism in association with the exhibition The Photomontages of Hannah Hoch. In 1999 he was a featured writer in the exhibition catalogue “Let’s Entertain.” Most recently, Marcus gave the introduction and led the post screening discussion for the film “I’m Not There”, by filmmaker Todd Haynes in 2008, providing his invaluable insights into rock and roll and Bob Dylan.
Susan Faludi appeared on the stage of the Guthrie Theater presenting her fascinating talk “Faludi on Feminism,” in 1996. Her lecture was part of the Modernism series in conjunction with the exhibition “The Photomontages of Hannah Hoch.” In her lecture, Faludi discussed the roles of women in Hannah Hoch’s art, as well as in Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Doll’s House” which was presented at the Guthrie Theater that season.
The prominent art critic and poet, Peter Schjeldahl, spent his formative years in Minnesota and graduated from Carleton College. He has spoken at the Walker several times as a lecturer discussing issues in the art world. For example, in 1999 Schjeldahl gave a lecture as part of Modernisms at the Millennium entitled “Ed and Edward: The Politics of American” in conjunction with the exhibition “Edward Ruscha: Editions 1959 – 1999.” In his talk, Schjeldahl discussed the use of language in Ruscha’s art.
Join us September 2nd at Open Field for another critical thinker, Lewis Hyde, for a memorable lecture you won’t want to miss. We have been theorizing the Open Field all summer, and Lewis Hyde is sure to bring in some critical inquiry on the past, present, and future of the cultural commons.
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