Alex Katz, Guest Lecture 1965

Alex Katz gives a lecture at Skowhegan talking about his artistic practice. Particularly focusing on his paintings, Katz talks about how the subject matter is something in his paintings that creates a big stimulation for him, and tells the participants how the subject matter should always be treated in this way; as an important vehicle for creating simulations. However, Katz states subject matter shouldn’t be the most interesting factor in the painting, and it has nothing to do with content or form. For Katz, subject matter can also function as paint, light, or space. Katz ends his lecture by engaging in a lively conversation with participants where they discuss everything from various movements throughout art history and artists that have inspired Katz over the years, as well as his experience living and working as an artist in New York City.