Josiah McElheny, Visiting Artist Lecture 2008

In this lecture which encompasses and interweaves a broad range of topics, including politics, aesthetics, utopia, modernity, the history of ideas, beauty, reflection and self-reflection, Josiah McElheny talks about his major art projects since the beginning of the 21st century. Throughout the narrative the artist describes key historical moments in the 20th century that he feels were critical ideological turning points that affected both art and culture. The lecture is followed by questions which focus on philosophical issues in the work and in general.