The 27th Annual Helen Clark Berlind Symposium
The 27th Berlind Symposium is held in conjunction with the 107th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Zeitgeist: The Art Scene of Teenage Basquiat, a group exhibition focusing on the artists and scene around Jean-Michel Basquiat’s teen-aged, pre-fame years. The period covered in the exhibition tells the story of Jean-Michel’s early work, peers, and creative community in gritty, pre-AIDS, downtown New York—before the rise of the 80s art and real estate juggernaut.
Saturday, October 20
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for coffee and refreshments.
11 am Artist talk by Lee Quiñones
One of several artists to gain fame from the New York City Subway graffiti movement, Quiñones’ style is rooted in popular culture, often with political messages, along with Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Quiñones was one of the innovators of New York’s street-art movement and is considered one of the most influential artists to emerge from the graffiti era.
2 pm Reading by Luc Sante
A writer and critic in New York City, Sante was also an acquaintance of Jean-Michel Basquiat in the early 1980s. He has written a number of books and is a frequent contributor to The New York Review of Books.
Reception to follow.
7 pm Screening of Boom! For Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat
Introduction and post-screening discussion by the film’s director, Sara Driver ’77
“BOOM FOR REAL” follows Basquiat’s life pre-fame and how New York City, the times, the people and the movements surrounding him formed the artist he became. Using never-before-seen works, writings and photographs, director Sara Driver ’77, who was part of the New York arts scene herself, worked closely and collaboratively with friends and other artists who emerged from that period: Jim Jarmusch, James Nares, Fab Five Freddy, Glenn O’Brien, Kenny Scharf, Lee Quinones, Patricia Field, Luc Sante and many others. Drawing upon their memories and anecdotes, the film also uses period film footage, music and images to visually re-recreate the era, drawing a portrait of Jean-Michel and Downtown New York City -pre AIDS, President Reagan, the real estate and art booms – before anyone was motivated by money and ambition. The definition of fame, success and power were very different than today – to be a penniless but published poet was the height of success, until everything changed in the early 1980s. This is New York City’s story before that change.
Cash bar (beer/wine) and refreshments provided.
Sunday, October 21
Sara Driver ’77
2 p.m. Panel discussion
Discussion moderated by Sara Driver ’77 with photographer Alexis Adler, Lee Quiñones, artist Mary-Ann Monforton, and Luc Sante.
Reception to follow.
The Berlind Symposium was established on the occasion of the Maier’s 80th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art, by friends and family of Helen Clark Berlind ’58 to honor her memory. The event has expanded the educational impact of the Annual Exhibition every year since, hosting scholars and artists to discuss issues relevant to each Exhibition.
The 27th Annual Helen Clark Berlind Symposium is supported by the Helen Clark Berlind Symposium Fund, as well as Maier Members Julie Johnson McGowen ’69, Barbara Niedland McCarthy ’73, and Dana Davidson Redmond ’60.
The 107th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art is generously supported by Mary Gray Shockey ’69.