Michael Asher: Reconsidering the Object of Art (1943-2012)
Michael is one reason that I attended law school. But he is more of a reason that I attended law school as an art project. Michael knew this. As he often did, he kidded about it. I spoke to Michael one day via phone, I believe during my 3L year (third year in law school), and we discussed the venerated law school socratic method. “It’s tiddly winks,” he said. “Nothing like your class,” I said. It was true. I divulged how during the day-long post-studio critiques at CalArts I often noted how the critique process was much like a court of law: the artist presenting was the defendant; the other students, the prosecutors, and Michael, the judge. But a judge as a judge should be; not stating his position, but rather inquiring and pressing the parties to think, to question, and to think again.
It is a sad day today, for we have lost another Michael, one of ours. But it is also a day of joy as I know that Michael lives in books, journals, images, and websites. But more so, Michael lives through so many a student and artist he impacted.
Today, we will only talk about Michael.
Page 2 of 2 | Previous page
Mary Beth Heffernan:
October 16th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Thanks for this appreciation, Sergio! Indeed, Michael’s commitment to rigorous, in depth critique continues to animate my own practice and, in my better moments, teaching.
Nate Harrison:
October 16th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Great text brother!! He lives on in us!
Barbara:
October 17th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Tender words that clearly honor the man and his memory.
sima:
October 21st, 2012 at 10:40 am
You introduced me to Michael. An addition to my life that I feel lucky to have as he is an artist that I think much about when looking at art. When viewing a show, sometimes I find myself even saying, ‘what would Michael ask/critique/think about this work?’. You are so right, he will live on….