Indeterminate Objects: Results May Vary

Architects, urban planners, insurance agencies, and city codes will often position a structure that exists within a town but does not fit a common category as an “indeterminate object.” More often than not, public art is described in this way. The role of this kind of object may not be functional in the way that a set of stairs or a sidewalk can be, and even when it is, it typically announces itself as special, rather than as utilitarian and ordinary. The object may delight some and confound others. The philosopher George Santayana spoke to this idea when in the Sense of Beauty he wrote, “The indeterminate in form is also indeterminate in value. It needs completion by the mind of the observer and as this completion differs, the value of the result must vary. An indeterminate object is therefore beautiful to him who can make it so, and ugly to him who cannot.” This session offers artists the opportunity to present works of art that are indeterminate; objects that may be sculpture, may be other forms of art, or perhaps not art at all, works that ask for completion. Artists whose practice results in works not easily categorized are encouraged to apply. Six to eight artists will be selected to present challenging work. In particular, current graduate students and emerging faculty are sought