The Graying State of Site-Specific Art and Practice: Globalization, Biennialization and the Curatorial Turn

Abstract

This thesis argues that there exists a graying state of site specificity. A range of gradients of site-specific art and practice that reflect the convoluted, muddled and simultaneously fluid state that has resulted due to the upsurge of biennials and large-scale exhibitions in the past 15 years. This graying has resulted due to and cyclically affects notions of place and the relationship of the artist and curator. With the theory of site paradigms by Miwon Kwon and the differentiation of ‘literal’ and ‘functional’ site by James Meyer as a basis of the theoretical framework, the graying of site specificity is unpacked with the application of these theories in conjunction with theories of place and the discussion on the shifting role of the curator and curatorial agenda. This framework is then applied in the analysis of a novel and multifaceted set of examples. The intention of the examination of these biennials is to activate what this thesis argues to be a crucial conversation that must be continued, one with the current and future graying state of site-specific art and practice as its focal point.