Curation Experimentation: The Blurring of Art and Life Along Portland's North Park Blocks

Abstract

The relationship between art and the public is continually being reshaped in contemporary culture by its context and modes of display. Over time art has become increasingly more accessible through the use of public exhibition and installations, thus challenging the very notion of the museum as the institution where art is to viewed. New forms of display integrated into the public realm offer a more informal manner of experiencing art that encourages engagement and social interaction over simple contemplation. This approach to experiencing displayed art has been transformative, creating an event, as opposed to a more traditional viewing, enhancing the connection between the art and its audience. The emphasis on taking art out into the streets and creating an event has created a need for public spaces to be reimagined and redesigned from an artistic perspective. This thesis examines the transformation and expansion of the art museum, and argues for a museum that is part "shrine to the object" and part "social condenser." Working within the context of Portland, Oregon's North Park Blocks and reacting to the city's flourishing, and a bit alternative, art culture, this thesis proposes a new type of art museum that aims to increase public accessibility to underutilized collections of art currently housed in multiple institutions by revealing these works through modes of visible storage and cross-curation. At its core, this thesis addresses the evolving three-way relationship between the public, art and architecture on numerous scales by blurring the edges between storage, exhibition and event.