Students gather in the Visual Arts Center to listen to Ann Hamilton discuss O N E E V E R Y O N E. Photo by Christina S. Murrey
The latest public art project at The University of Texas at Austin was attended by thousands of visitors to a series of events celebrating the opening of O N E E V E R Y O N E by Ann Hamilton. Her commission marks the 40th work of art in the Landmarks’ collection and one of two newly acquired works for the Dell Medical School (DMS).
Fourteen larger-than-life porcelain enamel panels are installed in Dell Medical School’s Health Learning Building, with more planned for the Health Discovery Building after construction is complete. In the meantime, those panels can be viewed at the Visual Arts Center, along with a selection of additional panels slated for future DMS buildings. The exhibition is on view through 24 February 2017.
The festivities kicked off Thursday afternoon with faculty and staff seminar in the Visual Arts Center with Hamilton and Jack Risley, the chair of the Department of Art and Art History. Encouraged to come armed with questions, young aspiring artists and scholars poured into the exhibition space to learn Hamilton’s insights into her process and the project.
Art students listen to Ann Hamilton during Wednesday's student seminar in the Visual Arts Center. Photo by Christina S. Murrey
Thursday evening saw a conversation with Hamilton in the LBJ Auditorium, co-hosted by the university’s Humanities Institute and its director Pauline Strong. Hundreds heard Hamilton and authors Kathleen Stewart, Natalie Shapero and Brian Rotman discuss the work and their writings, which are featured in O N E E V E R Y O N E newspapers and on the project website.
Ann Hamilton participates in a discussion with project authors. Photo by Christina S. Murrey
On Friday, art critic Nancy Princenthal moderated a Q&A with Hamilton in the ART Building Auditorium. Accompanied by visuals from past and current projects, Hamilton discussed the evolution of her work and offered thoughts about process, medium and response. Audience members asked the artist several questions to round out the discussion.
From left to right, Helen Pheby, senior curator of Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Jeanne Klein, and Jill Wilkinson listen to Ann Hamilton at the Q&A. Photo by Christina S. Murrey
Guests of the Q&A exited the auditorium to a lively exhibition opening at the Visual Arts Center to see panels from O N E E V E R Y O N E, as well as works from artists Daniel Bozhkov, Steven Brower, James Sham and Elizabeth Bick, among others. All were encouraged to leave with a copy of Hamilton’s 900-page book featuring a portrait from each of the 530 people photographed for the project.
Attendees to the VAC spring exhibition study enamel panels from Ann Hamilton's O N E E V E R Y O N E. Photo by Christina S. Murrey
To cap the week’s events, Landmarks hosted a book signing at the Health Learning Building on Saturday afternoon. Hamilton signed free O N E E V E R Y O N E books and chatted with guests about their impressions and involvement with the project. One particularly enthusiastic visitor was Zoë, a young participant whose portrait was featured on the cover of The Austin Chronicle.
Zoë meets with Ann Hamilton at Saturday’s book signing. Photo by Christina S. Murrey
There are still many ways to explore O N E E V E R Y O N E. Browse event photography on the Landmarks Flickr page. View the spring exhibition through 24 February at the Visual Arts Center. Experience the permanent installation in the Health Learning Building. Explore the project website where you can view and download photography and learn where to pick up your own free copy of the book and newspaper.