Talking Art: The Culture of Practice and the Practice of Culture in Mfa Education

The MFA culture of contemporary university-based masters-level art programs is centered around discussing art rather than making it. Ethnographer Gary Alan Fine's book Talking Art provides an eye-opening look at the culture and practices of these programs, including the act of critique, which is an often harrowing process where artists in training must defend their work before classmates and instructors. Fine reveals how art schools have changed the conception of the artist, from a misunderstood loner to an articulate tour guide through the maze of contemporary art rhetoric. He also argues that MFA programs have shifted the goal of creating art away from beauty and toward theory, with an academic culture that requires practitioners to be verbally skilled in the presentation of their intentions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2018
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The concept of a graduate art program often evokes images of young artists in lofty studios, diligently learning advanced techniques and refining their physical artistic expression. However, the reality of today's MFA culture is quite different. It is primarily focused on discussing art rather than actively creating it. In his book, Talking Art, ethnographer Gary Alan Fine provides an insightful exploration of the culture and practices within contemporary university-based master's-level art programs. Central to this culture is the act of critique, a sometimes challenging and emotionally charged process, vividly depicted in Fine's account. Artists in training are required to defend their work before their peers and instructors, engaging in a rigorous dialogue that shapes their artistic development. Through a comprehensive analysis of the critique practice and other aspects of the curriculum, Fine unveils how art schools have transformed the perception of the artist. Gone are the days when the artist was perceived as a misunderstood loner, working diligently in a garret. Instead, the artist has evolved into a more articulate tour guide, navigating the complex terrain of contemporary art rhetoric. What is even more significant is that MFA programs have shifted the primary objective of art creation away from aesthetic beauty and towards theoretical exploration. Fine argues that contemporary visual art has become a discipline, demanding its practitioners to possess verbal skills in effectively presenting their artistic intentions. Talking Art offers a remarkable and disconcerting perspective into the crucial role that universities play in shaping this culture. It sheds light on the pressures and expectations placed upon artists, as well as the transformative impact that MFA programs have had on the artistic landscape. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the current state of art education and the evolving role of the artist in the modern world.

Weight: 538g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226560182