Hoffman Visiting Artist Lecture: Jayson Musson
Date & Time
March 9, 2023 @ 7 p.m.
Location
Epperson Auditorium
This lecture is in collaboration with Musson鈥檚 current exhibition Jayson Musson: His History of Art聽 currently on view at the H&R Block Artspace through June 17, 2023. the Artspace continues its commitment to presenting timely, solo projects by internationally recognized, mid-career artists offering diverse perspectives.
Jayson Musson: His History of Art is a Midwestern premiere of the new three-episode video series written, starring, and co-directed by Jayson Musson and produced in its entirety as part of his artist residency at Philadelphia鈥檚 celebrated Fabric Workshop and Museum.聽
Named one of the top 50 exhibition of 2022 by Hyperallergic and pronounced 鈥渨acky and profound鈥 by the New York Times, His History of Art playfully deploys costumes, props, puppets, and scenery and centers on a sitcom-style video series, in which Musson鈥攑erforming as 鈥淛ay鈥濃 endeavors to educate his skeptical puppet sidekick Ollie on the relevance of art. Dressed in bespoke tailored corduroy suits, Jay and Ollie journey across a three-episode arc from prehistoric art through the present, encountering figures as varied as Pablo Picasso and a larger-than-life Venus of Willendorf along the way.聽
This free public lecture is underwritten by the Hoffman Visiting Artist Endowment, which was established in 2018 to bring nationally recognized artists who focus on contemporary art practices to give an annual talk to 91导航 and the Kansas City community as well as work with students and faculty in their studios. The Visiting Artist is selected through a process administered by a select group of representatives from 91导航, members of the Hoffman family and local experts in art and design. Establishing partnerships with other Kansas City area cultural or educational organizations is an important component of the annual lecture. Previous Hoffman Visiting Artist Speakers include Emma Nuzzo (2021), Sonya Clark (2020), Titus Kaphar (2019), and Joyce J. Scott (2018).
Sharon and John Hoffman have supported 91导航 for almost fifty years and have both served on the 91导航 Board of Trustees. They are major collectors of contemporary art, and own works from numerous 91导航 alumni. The Hoffman Visiting Artist Endowment is another way for them to show their deep commitment to nurturing and supporting the careers of artists.聽
鈥淕ood humor always moves toward truth. This exposure of truth is what causes a joke to resonate with a listener and connect with their often-unspoken experiences and feelings. Jokes uncover, jokes expose, jokes bring into the light things which are oft buried by individuals and a society.鈥 鈥 Jayson Musson
Image: Jayson Musson as 鈥淛ay鈥 with 鈥淥llie.鈥 Jayson Musson, in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, His History of Art, 2022 Photo credit: Carlos Avenda帽o.