October 5–6, 2011
This symposium examines artistic exchange between Latin America and the United States from the late nineteenth century to the present. Papers consider how artists and artworks have crossed the border separating the U.S. and Latin America (defined as Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean), creating new artistic dialogues and influencing each other’s work in meaningful ways.
The histories of U.S. and Latin American art have long been viewed as largely independent of each other. Transnational narratives have instead privileged exchange with Europe. But today there is a growing desire to dissolve the rigid borders that separate the history of art of the United States from that of Latin America.
This symposium couches artistic encounters between north and south within their historical moment and political conditions, and examines the role of individuals, institutions, and exhibitions in the exchange and promotion of art and ideas. Speakers consider various modes of artistic engagement including the two-way exchange of ideas and techniques, artistic collaboration, appropriation, and counteraction.
Encuentros: Artistic Exchange between the U.S. and Latin America is the third of five Terra Symposia on American Art in a Global Context, which are supported by a generous grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art. The Terra Foundation is dedicated to fostering exploration, understanding, and enjoyment of the visual arts of the United States for national and international audiences.
Several papers from the symposium were published as Commentaries in the Summer 2012 issue (Vol. 26, No.2) of the museum's scholarly journal, American Art, along with an introduction by Chon A. Noriega.
Symposium Webcast Playlist
Podcast
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Contact Us
For symposium information, please email AmericanArtSymposium@si.edu. Faxes may be sent to +1 (202) 633-8372.
