October 24, 2018, 7pm
Adam D. Weinberg, the Alice Pratt Brown Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art, presents a free talk exploring the history of the Whitney Biennial. Inaugurated in 1932 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, the Whitney Biennial remains a celebrated and influential tradition, bringing together artists and curators from across the United States to explore the current state of contemporary art in America. Heralded as a barometer of shifting cultural, social, and political values, the Whitney Biennale has a long history of exhibiting the most promising and influential artists and for provoking debate.
Adam D. Weinberg became the Alice Pratt Brown Director of the Whitney Museum in October 2003. During his tenure, the Whitney has presented major exhibitions on a wide range of artists, including William Eggleston, Yayoi Kusama, Sherrie Levine, Glenn Ligon, Gordon Matta-Clark, Georgia O’Keeffe, Ed Ruscha, and Jeff Koons; offered award-winning educational programs; and experienced dramatic growth in its permanent collection; and, in 2015, opened its new 220,000-square-foot building in the Meatpacking District.
The Rapp Lecture on Contemporary Art is named in honour of Carol and Morton Rapp.
About the Rapp Lecture on Contemporary Art Series
The Rapp Lecture on Contemporary Art features distinguished international leaders in the contemporary art world, including artists, curators, critics, scholars, and other luminaries. The Lecture focuses on critical ideas in contemporary art and culture. Past speakers include Theaster Gates, Sir Nicholas Serota and Philippe de Montebello.
The Lecture was established in 2009 in honour of Carol and Morton Rapp by their family. The Rapps are leaders who are deeply committed to supporting the contemporary art community. Their legacy as advocates and supporters for contemporary art will live in perpetuity at the AGO.
