Art Talk | Forces of Production: On Materiality & Meaning in Art Making

Art Talk 6:30-8pm

Pop-up cocktail bar 5:30-6:30 pm

Art isn’t made in a vacuum. From concept to creation, countless factors shape a work of art, some beyond the artist’s control. These external forces can subtly or dramatically shift the meaning and interpretation of a piece.

While conversations around form and function are well established, materiality is often overlooked. What does an artist communicate through their choice of materials? How do those materials carry cultural, economic, and aesthetic meaning?

This conversation brings together two regional contemporary artists, Erin Morrison and Rehab El Sadek, whose practices seamlessly integrate material choice as a core component of meaning-making. Together, they will discuss their artistic processes with a focus on how materials are strategically used to underscore concept and intent.

What do certain materials quietly signal about culture, wealth, value, perspective, or taste? And what do we miss when we focus solely on imagery or form without considering the significance of the materials themselves?

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher 21c Museum Hotel