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WexCast: Ann Hamilton, Jenny Holzer, Maya Lin

Dec 16, 2019

Artists Ann Hamilton, Jenny Holzer, and Maya Lin sitting on the stage of Mershon Auditorium, discussing their work with Wexner Center director Johann Burton as part of opening events for the fall 2019 exhibition HERE at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Photo by Katie Gentry

For this WexCast, we share the fascinating conversation that took place in September between Wex Director Johanna Burton and the artists of our fall 2019 exhibition HERE: Ann Hamilton, Jenny Holzer, and Maya Lin. The three Ohio-born makers discuss the works on view in the show, how their connections to the state have informed their respective practices, and the one other place on earth where you might’ve seen their work together. The episode begins with an introduction by Michael Goodson, Senior Curator of Exhibitions. Enjoy!

Artists Ann Hamilton, Jenny Holzer, and Maya Lin sitting on the stage of Mershon Auditorium, discussing their work as part of opening events for the fall 2019 exhibition HERE at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Photo by Katie Gentry
"I decided to move back [to Columbus] and that decision is really actually linked to the Wexner Center, because it was the first exhibition where I was invited to make an installation in response to the architecture."
Ann Hamilton

"When I was on those many car trips I would see Burma Shave signs and my ambition through my youth, and maybe into now, was to be as good as Burma Shave—and as terse."
Jenny Holzer
Artists Ann Hamilton, Jenny Holzer, and Maya Lin sitting on the stage of Mershon Auditorium beneath a screen with an image of Holzer's work and closed captioning. The women are discussing their work as part of opening events for the fall 2019 exhibition HERE at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Photo by Katie Gentry
"I grew up as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act are all being formed. It’s the ‘70s. Silent Spring had happened, and in response people were really beginning to change things. And I grew up in the parking lot of Kroger’s or A&P, petitioning to ban steel traps or whale hunting."
Maya Lin
A wide shot of the audience watching the September 2019 talk between HERE artists Ann Hamilton, Jenny Holzer, and Maya Lin with Wexner Center for the Arts Director Johanna Burton on the stage of Mershon Auditorium

P.S. If you'd like to know more about how HERE came together, check out this behind-the-scenes video.

Wex student staffer Demerus Taylor assisted with the production of this blog.
Photos by Katie Gentry.