Suzanne Lacy
Encyclopedia
Suzanne Lacy is an internationally known artist, educator, writer, and former public servant. She describes her work, which includes "installations, video, and large-scale performances", as focusing on "social themes and urban issues." She also served in the education cabinet of Jerry Brown
, then mayor of Oakland, California
, and went on to become an arts commissioner for the city.
with self-defense
classes for women in an attempt to highlight sexual violence against women. In 1987, Lacy staged what is arguably her most well known performance piece,"The Crystal Quilt", which featured 430 older women. Filmed in Minneapolis, Minnesota
and broadcast live on PBS, the performance involved the "women talking about their lives as their gathering created an eighty-two foot square tableau in the shape of a quilt."
(CCA) from 1987-1997. After leaving the college, Lacy was a founding faculty member at California State University, Monterey Bay
. She returned to CCA in 1998, and became the director of the Center for Fine Art and Public Life. She went on to serve as the Chair of Fine Arts at Otis College of Art and Design
from 2002–2006, before launching a Master of Fine Arts
program in Public Practice for the college in 2007.
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
, then mayor of Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, and went on to become an arts commissioner for the city.
Performance art
In 1977, with collaborator Leslie Labowitz, she combined performance art with activism in "Three Weeks in May". The event combined a performance piece on the steps of Los Angeles City HallLos Angeles City Hall
Los Angeles City Hall, completed 1928, is the center of the government of the city of Los Angeles, California, and houses the mayor's office and the meeting chambers and offices of the Los Angeles City Council...
with self-defense
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
classes for women in an attempt to highlight sexual violence against women. In 1987, Lacy staged what is arguably her most well known performance piece,"The Crystal Quilt", which featured 430 older women. Filmed in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
and broadcast live on PBS, the performance involved the "women talking about their lives as their gathering created an eighty-two foot square tableau in the shape of a quilt."
Writing
In addition to her work as an artist, Lacy also is the editor of Mapping the terrain: new genre public art, an anthology of essays about the impact of performance art in public spaces. She has also written a number of articles on performance art for various publications.Academia
Lacy has held several positions at academic institutions focusing on the arts. She was the Dean of Fine Arts at California College of the ArtsCalifornia College of the Arts
California College of the Arts , founded in 1907, is known for its broad, interdisciplinary programs in art, design, architecture, and writing. It has two campuses, one in Oakland and one in San Francisco, California, USA...
(CCA) from 1987-1997. After leaving the college, Lacy was a founding faculty member at California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay is a small public university in the California State University system on the site of the former U.S. Army base Fort Ord, on the Central Coast of California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.CSUMB was founded in 1994 with...
. She returned to CCA in 1998, and became the director of the Center for Fine Art and Public Life. She went on to serve as the Chair of Fine Arts at Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design is an art and design college in Los Angeles, California.The school's programs, accredited by WASC and National Association of Schools of Art and Design, include four-year BFA degrees in illustration, fine arts, graphic design, architecture, landscape design, interior...
from 2002–2006, before launching a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
program in Public Practice for the college in 2007.
External links
- Suzanne Lacy's website
- Interview with Suzanne Lacy from the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
's Archives of American ArtArchives of American ArtThe Archives of American Art is the largest collection of primary resources documenting the history of the visual arts in the United States. More than 16 million items of original material are housed in the Archives' research centers in Washington, D.C... - Suzanne Lacy in the Video Data BankVideo Data BankVideo Data Bank is an international video art distribution organization and a resource in the United States for videos by and about contemporary artists...
- A Conversation with Judy Chicago and Suzanne Lacy
- Woman's Building History: Suzanne Lacy (Otis College)
- In Mourning and In Rage performance