Contemporary Museum Discussion Series Explores 1950s Social Movements and Art

The Contemporary Museum will explore social changes and movements that revolutionized the art world during the 1950s with its Critical Perspectives discussion series, “Revolutionary Road: How the Art of the Fifties Paved the Way for Today’s Art,” beginning Tuesday, March 22, 2011. The six-week course will reveal how radical new art forms challenged the notion of suburban tranquility, and encouraged artists to embark on life-transforming personal quests.

Critical Perspectives will examine the rise of such influential groups and artist collectives as the Nouveau Realisme of France, Gutai of Japan, and the Fluxus and Happenings artist networks in the United States. The series will also explore the era’s emerging art forms, including junk culture and experimental photography, as well as revolutionary installation strategies. An overview of the seminal figures who taught or studied at the renowned though short-lived Black Mountain College will provide insight into the great artistic minds of the 50s and the new forms of expression they pioneered.

The series will convene every Tuesday, from March 22 through May 3, 2011, excluding April 19, at 6:15 p.m. at the Contemporary Museum.


Critical Perspectives will be led by Virginia K. Adams and Sue Spaid. Ms. Adams is a modern and contemporary art history instructor at Maryland Institute College of Art. Sue Spaid is executive director of the Contemporary Museum.

This is a ticketed series. For more information about Critical Perspectives and the Contemporary Museum, visit www.contemporary.org or call (410) 783-5720.