November 8 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday November 8, 2024
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Contemporary Lecture
Speaker: Dr. Wendy Gers, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Princessehof National Ceramics Museum, Netherlands
What could the field of ceramics look like in 20, 50, or 100 years? Award-winning contemporary art curator Dr. Wendy Gers invites us to imagine the ceramics of tomorrow, where environmental justice is central. Acknowledging the significant environmental impact of ceramics production, Dr. Gers will begin by defining eco-critical and sustainable ceramic practices.
Dr. Gers will consider a wide range of art, craft, and design practices that have a lower environmental impact than conventional ones, arguing the field needs to move beyond green-washing and environmental advocacy. She will explore case studies that range from the latest innovative technologies to ancestral indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and other neglected practices.
Dr. Gers will examine unfired clay practices, the use of local materials, and recycled and upcycled natural and industrial waste streams. She will also discuss the role of policy and community engagement in fostering a culture of sustainability within the ceramics studio. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental, cultural, and economic factors, Dr. Gers aims to inspire a holistic approach to ceramic production that prioritizes long-term ecological health.
*No advanced registration required for students. Valid student ID must be presented at the Front Desk upon arrival.
About the Speaker
Dr. Wendy Gers
Dr. Wendy Gers is a Franco-South African academic, curator, and consultant based in the Netherlands. She has lived and worked in Europe, East Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Over the past decade, Dr. Gers has curated major exhibitions on three continents, including Biennales in China and Taiwan. She is Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics in the Netherlands and the current Theodore Randall Chair of Art History at Alfred University in New York. Dr. Gers has authored numerous publications, chapters, and scholarly articles. She received her PhD from The University of Sunderland, UK.