KEYNOTE LECTURE — Tavares Strachen 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7TH

Tavares Strachan 03 GL delivers the keynote lecture for RISD Weekend, which also marks the launch of RISD Glass’ 50th year celebration. Strachan caught the attention of the international art scene in 2006 when he embarked on a journey to the Alaskan Arctic to excavate a 4.5 ton block of ice which he then transported via FedEx to his native Bahamas and displayed in a solar-powered freezer. He has exhibited internationally at venues such as the Venice Biennale, MIT List Art Gallery, The Brooklyn Museum and Ron Feldman Fine Art, New York. His work and process exemplifies the dedication to skill, risk taking and innovation has defined RISD Glass and made it a leader in its field from its inception.

GLASS MENAGERIE:  A PROJECTION PERFORMANCE BY GIBSON + RECODER

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9TH

In collaboration with the Fine Arts Glass department, New York artist duo Sandra Gibson 99 FAV and Luis Recoder workshop a new expanded cinema performance that incorporates glasswork from RISD students made specifically for this event. The optical properties of glass and those of the cinema combine in what the artists describe as an encounter with “projective fractography”: dispersing, scattering, and recasting the projected celluloid film material in a performance that activates the main auditorium’s dual 35mm changeover system.

PANEL DISCUSSION — MATERIAL INVESTIGATIONS: DEVELOPING AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDIO PRACTICE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH

Distinguished alumni James Carpenter, Toots Zynsky, Helen Lee, and Alex Rosenberg will discuss their work and the very different career paths they have taken since their time in RISD Glass, providing insight into the Glass Department's approach to developing artistic perspectives through disciplined investigations, experimentation, and rigorous critical inquiry.

PANEL DISCUSSION— WONDER: 50 YEARS OF RISD GLASS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH

Denise Markonish (Curator, Mass MoCA) will lead a discussion with RISD Glass faculty and alumni about the dynamic environment of experimentation and investigation of both the material and conceptual manifestations of glass at RISD and the ways this is shaping the contemporary art world.