Allison Smith

Visual & Critical Studies Forum
Wednesday, November 18, 10 am – 12 pm
Boardroom, San Francisco campus

Allison Smith’s diverse practice investigates the cultural phenomenon of historical reenactment, or living history, using it as a means of addressing the relationship between American history, social activism, craft, and queer identity. Smith uses history as an aesthetic palette to produce performative sculptures and public events that provoke new forms of popular militancy by encouraging participants to “take history into their own hands.” Smith has exhibited her work at numerous venues including P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, New York; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Arario Gallery, South Korea; Studio Voltaire, London; Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art; Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; University of California, Berkeley Art Museum; Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh; Indianapolis Museum of Art; Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and many others. She currently teaches
at CCA.