Trans- (trans, tranz): {over, across, to go, so as to change thoroughly, above and beyond.}
Inspired by the barrage of television, billboards and magazines, there has been an emerging interest in the concept of 'visual culture' as a theoretical discipline in recent years. In fact, the University of Wisconsin has a related program started in 2001 as a trans-departmental coalition of faculty concerned with researching the concept of visual culture. The professors associated with this "culture cluster" offer an extensive range of courses to UW students, conduct research forums and facilitate workshops.
Of particular interest to this academic study is the interrelatedness or "transdisciplinary" aspect of visual culture itself. Visual culture calls into question the very basis of the prefix "trans" and what kind of academic coordinates compose such disciplinary relationships. For instance, how do the visual aspects of science relate with art? When does visualizing scientific concepts of say, a nucleus or quantum physics, become artistic? Inversely, when does a dash of oil paint become a (not so) simple scientific formula?
The TRANS Visual Culture Conference beginning on Thursday will be a dialog about the ideas and concepts surrounding the functionality of "trans" and its relationship to visual culture. The conference will hold discussions all weekend with international experts and keynote speakers and over a dozen participating UW science, art, communication and business departments.
Because the idea of visual culture is first and foremost visual, the art exhibit sponsored by the conference titled "Visualizing TRANS" is extremely productive and poignant in thinking about the problems and concepts of "trans." The Madison display also happens to be one of the best collections of international visual artwork. Six curators associated with the Visual Culture program at UW have selected work by artists and activists from New York, Los Angeles, England and other regions across the globe to challenge viewers' conception of visual culture and the structures that define it.
The exhibition is located in what is known as the "IronWorks" building on the east side, a defunct foundry recently used for warehousing and now serving as a gallery. The transition in the function of the building and the way curatorial decisions were made may very well be the show's best work of art. The "Transcurators" had the challenge of incorporating and relating the warehousing and storage materials into the TRANS exhibit. Attention was clearly paid to every last detail — the height of the overhead lights, where certain industrial components were moved (if at all) and generally how gallery space was to be constructed.
On the delightfully rusty warehouse walls hang a variety of two-dimensional works including, but not limited to, photography, mixed-medias, drawings and paintings that explore the crossings between artistic, historical and medical disciplines. Artists with a wide range of political and social backgrounds explore transgender, trans-racial and transitional subject matter. There are also many sculptural works and installations that explore nature, politics and culture. Some of the works cross perceptual and formal boundaries relating the sense of smell or hearing with the visual.
As one walks into the already enormous space, a giant screen hangs from the ceiling that will be projecting films from one of two locations. There are also multiple performance spaces that will include live dance, poetry and other interactive pieces. The gallery is huge, but the conceptual basis for much of the artwork is greater. Within each piece is a network of thought that in relation transfers meaning to other works in the exhibition. Holistically, the show's intention is to highlight art along the spectrum, crossing boundaries between mediums, practices and disciplines to investigate the relationships between visuality and culture.
The exhibit will open on Friday at noon, and a reception and gallery talk will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Check the TRANS link on the Visual Culture website (www.visualculture.wisc.edu) for more details and a full performance schedule. There is a free shuttle going to the exhibit from the Pyle center, but be sure to bring a coat because warehouses can get chilly.