Our Curated World: Seeing a Trend Through the Lens of Tradition

Course Description

Summary

From bookstore shelves to restaurant menus, a widening swath of contemporary life seems to involve, even require, the hand of a curator. So what exactly does it mean to BE a curator? Where did the profession of curator originate and how has it evolved? This introductory class considers historical examples of acquisition and display from the sixteenth century to today; curatorial models such as the encyclopedic collector, the cultural provocateur, and the globetrotting celebrity; and a range of installation contexts, from Wunderkammer to museum to art fair. Within this historical context, we consider the role digital technology plays in our desire for “curated” experience and the potential for curators as cultural producers.