World Building

THE 2020/21 VISITING ARTIST, SCHOLAR, AND DESIGNER PROGRAM SERIES

What do we want our world to look like and how do we create that vision? Every day, within a matrix of forces and structures, we build our world by enacting decisions that reflect our understanding of existence as it is, and, as we hope it to be. Because world building is intimately connected to world view, our decisions reveal our values and hopes as well as our struggles and shortcomings.

From video games to voting, from story arcs to architecture, from food to fashion, from smartphones to the dark web, world building exists in the planes of both the practical and fantastical, the personal and the theatrical; it provides critical real-world insight and innovative escapism. World building constructs fully-formed, immersive universes that re-contextualize our past, re-orient our present, and project new, future realities. The most revolutionary advancements can seem like madness in the beginning, but enterprising world builders bravely navigate the murky waters of progress to pioneer changes in ethics, power, narrative, and technology, and, this series’ primary interests, in art, design, and culture.

At the dawn of a new decade, in the midst of a pandemic and a reckoning with systemic racism, in a landscape of expansive connectivity and rapid dramatic social, political, environmental, and technological change, we are world building at this very moment in remarkable ways. The 2020/2021 World Building series reflects on the specific methods artists and designers are implementing to actively develop radical progress and novel solutions.

EVENT INFORMATION

Due to COVID-19, all VASD Program World Building Series events will take place online. As we face new opportunities and challenges during these times, we are excited to continue offering our renowned series in a new virtual space for our 10-year anniversary! Some things will certainly be different, but our dedication to continue exploring critical, diverse, and creative inquiry with our community will remain the same.

ADDITIONAL RMCAD COMMUNITY EVENTS

In addition to the Artist Talk, RMCAD students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to interact with our distinguished guests during Next Day Q+A Luncheons, workshops, studio visits, and more. These events will take place the day following the Artist Talk (unless otherwise noted).

EXPLORE THE WORLD BUILDING SERIES ARTISTS + DESIGNERS:

KEVIN BEASLEY | Tue. Feb. 16, 2021

ALISHA WORMSLEY| Tue. Mar. 16, 2021

NICO WHEADON | Tue. Apr. 6, 2021

CHRISTINE SUN KIM | Tue. Sep. 15, 2020

JACOLBY SATTERWHITE | Tue. Oct. 6, 2020

LIZ MONTAGUE | Tue. Nov. 17, 2020