What is an artist? Author & Sociologist Sarah Thornton on Psyches, Personas, Politics and Networks

Presented November 6, 2014 in the Horchow Auditorium at the Dallas Museum of Art in partnership with the Nasher Sculpture Center.
In conversation with Nasher Sculpture Center Director, Jeremy Strick, author and sociologist, Sarah Thornton discusses her recent book ’33 Artist in 3 Acts’.
With Sarah Thornton as our expert guide, readers gain unprecedented access to a dazzling range of artists, from international superstars to unheralded art teachers. She interviewed over 130 artists from around the world, including Cindy Sherman, Ai Weiwei, Maurizio Cattelan, Gabriel Orozco and a nuclear family of creative types (Laurie Simmons, Carroll Dunham and their two daughters, Lena and Grace). With a clever structure of richly linked, cinematic scenes, '33 Artists in 3 Acts' investigates artists' psyches, personas, politics, and social networks. Thornton rummages through artists' bank accounts and bedrooms, exploring their studios as ideas germinate and major works take shape. Witnessing their crises and triumphs, Thornton turns a wry, analytical eye on the different answers-and nonanswers-she receives to the question "What is an artist?"
Sarah Thornton is a writer and sociologist of art. Formerly the chief correspondent on contemporary art for The Economist, Thornton has written for many other publications, including 'Artforum', 'The Guardian', and The New Yorker', and has contributed to broadcasts at the BBC, NPR, and ZDF. A frequent guest speaker, she has given talks and participated in panels at museums, universities, and literary festivals around the world. Thornton has a BA in art history and a PhD in sociology. A Canadian who went to Britain on a prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship, Thornton investigated hierarchies of “coolness” through a case study of dance clubs and raves. Published as 'Club Cultures: Music, Media and Subcultural Capital', her doctorate led the Daily Telegraph to declare her “Britain’s hippest academic.” Thornton then coedited the first edition of 'The Subcultures Reader' and ran the MA in media studies at Sussex University.
The Nasher Sculpture Center’s ongoing 360 Speaker Series features conversations and lectures on the ever-expanding definition of sculpture. Guests are invited to witness first-hand accounts of the inspiration behind some of the world’s most innovative artwork, architecture and design.
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The 360 videography project is supported by Suzanne and Ansel Aberly. This support enables digital recording of all 360 Speaker Series programs and the creation of an online archive for learners of all ages.
Additional support for the 360 Speaker Series provided by Sylvia Hougland and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs.

[@adriamorgan3451]

You cant help feeling like this is her little black book on how to be a successful artist.

[@davidgjeffroy7239]

Brave project on Artists projecting 21st Century Ideas & Opinions - will their work survive?DGJ.

[@knh5954]

I did not read her ideas for the book as antipathy for painters, just that conceptual/performance artists are more directly, with the viewer,questioning what is art. Can I put this on the wall/ do this, and still call it art? A guy in the crowd asks how do these people eat and states that it is not really about the artists. My thought was , it is probably one of the most important questions. Being an artist is easy, staying an artist, is what kicks everyone's ass. Someone asked how do these people monetize their work, and she said conceptual/performance artists have real trouble with that. Think about it, how do you sell a performance piece and how does a piece of conceptual work change when shown in someone's house, at a party would someone use the Duchamp. I think it would be fascinating to use math to ask this same question. Stats on square footage of studios vs size of work, tax brackets, years before profits offset losses, and such.This talk was interesting after I tuned out the "umms", I hope that does not cause you to hear them, sorry.

[@vvnxu]

Oh dear...

[@cmralph...]

No mention of Illustrators. Are illustrators considered artists?

[@notmyrealname9059]

I am an Artist - I have regular exhibitions at the world famous 'Deviant Art' and 'Snapchat' Galleries. My primary mediums are tracing paper and felt tips so as a famous artiste I'm sure you can appreciate how qualified one is to answer your question. The answer is 'No' - Illustrators are not Artists. Neither are Illustrations "Art". In more traditional times of old Illustration was called 'Paint by Numbers' and is at best regarded as Rough Craft. C'est ne Pas Une Artiste. Sacre Bleurgh.

[@MCAndyT]

@Wenceslao Futanaki Umm, I think Monsieur C. Gull has a sense of humor and was being glib about the designations of artist (or shall we say, artiste) in the context of Thornton's talk in general. It's clear what work she wants to talk about and makes for a "good book" in her mind. Critics, theorists, and journalist can't talk about everybody all the time. They have to make conscious decisions about what they will spend their time on. If you're not interested in her conversation about art, that simply means you need to keep looking for folks who are having the conversations that you want to partake in. Have a nice day!

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

@@notmyrealname9059 Ha ha, please stop your foolish bragging. Anybody can declare that, but I won´t believe it either . . .

[@durgeshkumar-sw5dz]

contemporary art at majority is pretentious, it's nothing about artist view of world but to show the other that they "view the world differently". it's a mass production of popular culture for the doomed mass. Today artist produce 1000 work in a year. all ripoff of each other! Walmart can be next good art gallery, prices little inflated.

[@DJSTOEK]

🖤

[@takisdust]

can't see the slides :(

[@bethbartlett5692]

Isn't this odd, (says an Artist with a Sociology degree, practical application in Social-psychology Research and Field Study, and a Journalism degree) [Artist - of the brush and canvas sort, or "Breed"] One must be an Artist to define, "What an Artist is..." - and, one must know and understand- their own - Passion." I find it quite 80's (1980's) to have this discussed in this venue... Is this not simply a book promotion"?" 🎨 🗝☯️☮