On April 29, I attended the Master of Fine Arts Lecture Series with Julia Scher. I walked into the room with no idea what to expect, and left feeling invigorated about art and the endless possibilities. Like her work, Scher is incredibly engaging and interesting.
Scher’s art focuses on the idea of surveillance and technology, and it’s a theme she has been exploring for a number of years. With technology such an integral part of daily life today, it is an intriguing topic to think about. One of the pieces she talked about in depth was “wonderland”. This installation provided a commentary on the internet, surveillance and children – leaving a group of young kids free to patrol a security booth in the museum. Scher said she was heavily influenced by Alice in Wonderland, and certain aspects of the installation directly reflected this, such as the “white rabbit” candies left out for the children to eat. Scher talked about her fascination with her elementary school teacher, who actually voiced the character of Alice in the Disney movie. She also noted that 9/11 and the predatory nature of the internet influenced the piece. I thought it was fascinating to hear about the myriad of influences and how they were woven together to create one single exhibition.
I also found it particularly interesting that Scher used to teach at MIT. MIT is noted for its strong emphasis on scientific and technological research, and one would assume this means developing the type of surveillance Scher discusses. When asked about this, Scher noted that sometimes one has to work from the belly of the beast. I simply loved this idea.
To be honest, Scher’s art is the type of work I would have passed over in the past. I have never been attracted to modern installations or performance pieces, instead preferring paintings and photography. Scher’s lecture changed all that. Her words opened me up to a whole new realm of art and expression, and I’m eager to further explore what she introduced me to.
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