Anne Teahan's Blog
‘Sharing Cultures: Disability and Visibility’ is a project by Anne Teahan, researching disability arts in reference to an exhibition inspired by participation in VSA's 'Revealing Culture' - an international disability arts exhibition of 55 artists, which was on show at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington from 8 June - 29 August 2010. Her blog is a reflection on each day of a week spent in Washington and is the starting point for the research.
14 July 2010
Anne Teahan's last reflections on seeing 'Revealing Culture' in Washington DC.
With only the afternoon left in Washington, I decide to cram everything I can into my last day, push through the tiredness and accept the inevitable energy crash later. I dip into the National...Comments: 0
14 July 2010
Anne Teahan reflects on 'Revealing Culture' and differences between American and British thinking about Art & Disability.
On my last morning in Washington I meet Ellen Dorn, Director of Special exhibitions for the Smithsonian Institution. I will ask her how ‘Revealing Culture’ came about, and gain some...Comments: 0
13 July 2010
Anne Teahan explores the work of Washington-based artist Gwynneth VanLaven in Revealing Culture at the Smithsonian and interviews her about waiting rooms and ‘Wellness’
Gwynneth VanLaven’s installation ‘Please Wait’, in ‘Revealing Culture’ is deceptive. From a distance, it looks like a nice little space in the middle of the exhibition,...Comments: 2
12 July 2010
Anne Teahan reflects on a visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC and finds common themes in ‘Revealing Culture’ the Disability Arts exhibition at the Smithsonian
One of my aims in visiting ‘Revealing Culture’ in Washington is to see how the art relates to surrounding mainstream spaces. The Holocaust Memorial Museum is purpose-built. From...Comments: 6
12 July 2010
Anne Teahan visits the Kennedy Center to interview artist Michelle Lisa Herman.
Sue and I are standing inside the Hall of Nations entrance to the Kennedy Center, looking up. High above our heads hang parallel rows of national flags; under our feet a long red carpet recedes...Comments: 4
11 July 2010
Anne Teahan further reflects on work in VSA’s ‘Revealing Culture’ at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Gallery in Washington DC and finds contrasting approaches to themes of Art, Disability and the Body in artists’ films
Another Washington morning – hot and humid. I have been resting my voice (which really means avoiding people) for a couple of days. And voice-rest is a mixed blessing. When dryness and...Comments: 3
10 July 2010
Anne Teahan begins the task of reflection on the idea of a 'disability aesethetic' from her first visit to 'Revealing Culture' at the Smithsonian Institute
The Smithsonian’s International gallery is a surprise. Above ground it looks like an elegant version of the kiosks on the National Mall. But most of the building exists underground. The visible...Comments: 6
10 July 2010
Anne Teahan's first morning in Washington DC
This is my first Washington morning. I am almost comatose from travel but excited at the prospect of seeing the Smithsonian. This morning I will make my first visit to ‘Revealing Culture’...Comments: 1
9 July 2010
Anne Teahan gives an account of her journey through US customs on the way to the Smithonian Institute, Washington DC
I have never been to America before. I am in a stationary queue at Charlotte Carolina airport, somewhere in-between planes and layers of security, waiting to be processed. One official looks stern...Comments: 2
9 July 2010
Anne Teahan describes her preparations for visiting the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC in summer 2010
In April 2010, I started tackling an Arts Council application on ‘Revealing Culture’ an international disability arts exhibition on show at the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center...Comments: 4