THE
PUBLIC
SCHOOL
TELIC ARTS EXCHANGE

For Rancière, any experience involves/evokes a (re-)configuration of the "visible" and the "sensible," an order of possible actions/enactments, and possible situations. In other words, the "distribution of the sensible" (Rancière) defines a "system" that opens up the ability -- if not the possibility of the possible -- to perceive the existence of something held in common ("the common of the community") and the torsions ("dissagreements") that apportion places and parts within, as well as around, it. Thus, this theoritcal position(ing) entails that there is both a politics immanent to artistic praxes and that there exists no political configuration which is not always-already founded on a decision regarding the visibility of its pieces and spatio-temporal possiblities and multiplications. Thus, in this proposed class, which will be held, I hope, during the College Art Association's annual meeting, which takes place in February 2010, I would like to explore the politics, possiblities, and potenialites of Rancière's "distribution of the sensible," "politics of aesthetics," and "political disagreement" -- as well as the differences and similaties (in-)between "art," "aesthetics," and "politics."  In a sense, explore the architecture of Rancière's theoretical thought(s), and how it is played out and can be played out in art and architecture (and even beyond to the everyday).

How does art do and un-do the artist and the viewer? How does (and why does) art history and criticism "tame" the radicality of art practices and productions (e.g., Dada, Surrealism, the SI, etc.)? How can art be "used" to re-think life, or does art create a(nother) life, which is to say a(nother) world? How to live that life -- or (inhabit that) world? Readings will consist of selections from Agambin, Bourriaud, Cixous, Jones, Nancy, Ranciere, etc. The class, after the first meeting will decide the readings and the direction of the reading/discussion group.

in this experimental writing course, we will explore the boundaries of believability, authenticity, and the recently discovered notion of truthiness using forms like listmaking, found texts, and unreliable narrators to get at a more reliable approximation of truth. we will read texts that explore lying, integrity, and irrelevance while creating others that don't.

On 7 August, 2009 at 7:00PM, The Public School will screen "Derrida" (the un-documentary).  This screening is in relation to the class on "Messianic Time" (currently being held during the month of August, 2009 on Saturdays) After the screening we will have a brief discussion of the documentary.  Of particular interest is Derrida's deconstruction of the documentary, deconstruction (in a nutshell), futurity (l'avenir) vs. the future (le futur), love, and (auto)biography.

The film quotes (by Derrida) are on to http://a.aaaarg.org/ (Derrida, Jacques "Film Quotes")

An interesting clip on l'avenir from the "documentary" is on Youtube:

As ever, Robert

The reading group will look at Lacan's notion of _jouissance_ in relation to Freud, Kant, Genet, Crimp, and Bersani. It will explore issues of the neighbor, homo- and hetero-sexuality, and the death drive (other theories may follow, or swell up). In one sense, this is a follow-up to the SM class offered by TPS. Tentative reading list: Tim Dean, _Beyond Sexuality_ (selections) Lacan, _Ethics of Psychoanalysis_ (selections) Lacan, "Kant with Sade" Freud, _Beyond the Pleasure Principle_ (selections Freud, _Civilization and Its Discontents_ (selections) Bersani and Adam Phillips, _Intimacies_ (selections) Bersani, "Is the Rectum a Grave" Crimp, _Mourning and Militancy_ (selections) William Haver, _The Body of this Death_ (selections) John Paul Ricco, _The Logic of the Lure_ (selections) -Other texts or essays maybe added- -All readings will be uploaded to http://a.aaaarg.or Films: Genet, "Un Chant Amour" Paul Morris, "Plattin' Seed" ("adult") David Lynch, "Blue Velvet" -Other films maybe added- The first class will be devoted to an articulation of the differences between Freud and Lacan and the "death drive," Lacan's theorization "jouissance" -- and we will watch a film segment. Finally, the first class will decide the trajectory of the remaining classes. It is hoped this class can meet 4-6 times on the weekend.