Glenn Lowry has said that when he leaves the directorship of the Museum of Modern Art (some time in 2030), he want to return to scholarship. Now the past and future Islamicist has agreed to teach a class next semester for Columbia University’s M.A. Programs in Modern Art and Curatorial Studies, according to the fall newsletter of the department of art history and archeology. The new chairman of the department is Barry Bergdoll, who is also the new chief curator of architecture and design at MoMA. Can he do it all?
The subject of Glenn’s pedagogy: Contemporary Islamic Art in the Diaspora. I assume this was partly inspired by the inspiring Without Boundary: Seventeen Ways of Looking, shown earlier this year at MoMA.
Some criticized that show for not being political enough; I thought that was the point: to transcend those differences.
From Glenn’s course description:
In the last decade a number of artists from predominantly Islamic countries have emerged as important figures on the contemporary scene. This course will examine the issues and ideas they address, while exploring the ways in which they deal with questions of modernity and identity, among other topics.
Meanwhile, Bergdoll will be teaching a Columbia class next semester on History of Architectural and Design Exhibitions at MOMA. It will be taught at the museum.
This is getting pretty incestuous! Or should I say, “synergistic”?