Help a budding art historian out (postminimalism/contemporary)

[accordingtowhat]

Hi all —

 

Although I'm an undergrad, I've really enjoyed reading about the grad process on this forum. I thought I would make an account, though, as I'm hoping some of you may be able to help me with a question.

 

While I primarily study contemporary art, I've recently grown more interested in postminimalism as it's definitely an area that I could see myself focusing in at the graduate level. With this in mind, who are the current scholars in this field whom I should be aware of. Of course Pincus-Witten and Lippard come to mind but unless I'm mistaken, neither of the two are currently teaching. Are there any books which you would recommend reading which revolve around postminimalism?

 

On a semi-related note, are there any books in contemporary art that you think are crucial for a young art historian to have under his belt? I have just two years of art history experience so chances are I haven't read a fair amount of the suggestions you all may have. 

 

Thank you all in advance for your help!

[asdf123]

In terms of what to read:

Start with James Meyer's Minimalism book.  Make sure to read "Art and Objecthood" and Donald Judd's writings, especially "Specific Objects" (they're collected in a big yellow book).   Read Briony Fer, Anne Wagner, Rosalind Kruass on Eva Hesse, Julia Wilson-Bryan's Art Workers book, Jennifer Roberts' book on Robert Smithson (Mirror Travels), and also Anne Reynold's book on Smithson, the book Robert Morris: Mind Body (collection of essays), the collection of Robert Morris's writing's (Continuous Project Altered Daily) and the collection of Robert Smithson's writings.

 

Start plugging into jstor and google scholar names of artists who pique your interest... see what's out there.

 

In terms of people out there to work with: Anne Reynolds is at UT Austin and Julia Bryan-Wilson is at Berkeley -- they'd be near the top of my list.

 

Happy reading.

Edited April 20, 2013 by asdf123

[ArtHistoryandMuseum]

^^ I cannot vouch for her as a person to work with because I am not personally familiar, but Jennifer Roberts is at Harvard. 

[accordingtowhat]

Thanks to you two — I knew this was the right place to ask! Any other suggestions are welcome although this has been extremely helpful.

[anonymousbequest]

Jennifer Roberts works primarily in 18th century now.  I'm not aware of any of her current advisees who are working in contemporary, mostly 18th and 19th century American. Mirror Travels was her disseration. I don't know that she wouldn't take a student interested in post-minimalism but just that you should speak with her before making her a POI.

[ArtHistoryandMuseum]

Jennifer Roberts works primarily in 18th century now.  I'm not aware of any of her current advisees who are working in contemporary, mostly 18th and 19th century American. 

 

Thanks anonymousbequest for this fuller information! I, by no means, have an extensive knowledge about Roberts or her current research; I was merely piping up about the book's author and where she is currently.

 

Now Roberts may no longer be a great fit for the OP. However, she may be for me, since I work with 18th-19th American!  

 

Thank you for speaking up.

[accordingtowhat]

Good to know -- I assume someone like Buchloh at Harvard though (in an ideal world where I end up at Harvard) would be a good fit if anyone has thoughts on him? Or any thoughts on UChicago faculty? Thanks again, really!

[asdf123]

whoops, Krauss (of course) not Kruass.

[asdf123]

Carrie Lambert-Beatty (at Harvard) would be a good fit for a dissertation on minimalism -- and with Jennifer Roberts, you're half-way to a committee.

[BuddingScholar]

Good to know -- I assume someone like Buchloh at Harvard though (in an ideal world where I end up at Harvard) would be a good fit if anyone has thoughts on him? Or any thoughts on UChicago faculty? Thanks again, really!

 

 

I cannot speak from experience but I can share what I have learned from a couple of friends who worked with Buchloh.  They both had him as their primary adviser.  

 

1. He is a nice guy/adviser though sometimes a little (how should I say) indifferent "maybe..."  They both reported that that became more problematic once they got into the dissertation writing phase.  ex.: not responding to emails, not reading drafts in a timely manner, nor writing thoughtful and careful notes on work...  These examples were from one of them that had to do the research abroad and felt that especially during that time it was particularly hard to get in touch with him.

 

2. One of them, who worked with him more recently, said that even though Buchloh [appears to] shows no sign of slowing down, he didn't think Buchloh was going to stick around for very much longer.  --- One never knows though.

 

3. I guess, it should go without saying that he is brilliant and studying under him would/should be an honor for anyone... They both also reported that it did carry some weight having his name in their CV.

Edited April 25, 2013 by brazilianbuddy