Lecture by Robert Storr, given at Florida International University, 2009

Robert Storr discusses the wider world of contemporary art. He talks about how the art world has changed since he became a part of it, and how it is on the cusp of change. Introduction by Carol Damian.

Lecture by Wayne Clough, given at Florida International University, November 19, 2010

Wayne Clough presents his experiences and challenges at the Smithsonian and the future of the Smithsonian.

Lecture by Arnold Lehman, given at Florida International University, October 13, 2000

Arnold Lehman discusses how the Brooklyn Museum influenced him and others though annecdotal stories and shares the new mission and the new direction for cultivating increased interest and visitation to the museum by exploring the museum's history. He also discusses the exhibit Sensation, a collection of contemporary art owned by Charles Saatchi, which generated controversy in New York when it was first exhibited at the museum in 1997. FIU President Modesto Maidique introduces Dahlia Morgan. Introduction by Dahlia Morgan.

Lecture by Albelardo Morell, given at Florida International University, January 16, 2004

Albelardo Morell shares some of his photographs, including some of his earliest works, and talks about his growth as an artist over the years. Introduction by Dahlia Morgan.

Lecture by Joel Shapiro, given at Florida International University, December 7, 2008

Joel Shapiro discusses the inspiration behind his works as well as how he constructs his works. Introduction by Carol Damien.

Lecture by Claude Viallat, given at Florida International University, November 10, 2011

Claude Viallat talks about his early life and shares the stories behind some of his newer works. Introduction by Carol Damian.

Lecture by Xu Bing, given at Florida International University, February 21, 2015

Xu Bing talks about his work and exhibitions and shares images of his works. Introduction by Lidu Yi. Comments by Jordana Pomeroy.

Lecture by Melissa Chiu, given at Florida International University, March 4, 2015

Melissa Chiu's talk focuses on the making of a museum in the 21st century. Comments by Jordana Pomeroy. Introduction by Richard Kurin.

Lecture by Christo, given at Florida International University, February 11, 2011

Christo shares images of projects completed by himself and Jeanne-Claude and shares some of the stories associated with the works. Introduction by Carol Damian.

Lecture by Albert Paley, given at Florida International University, December 9, 2012

Albert Paley talks about the evolution of his studio and his work. Introduction by Carol Damian.

The Joycean Sublime

The purpose of my thesis is to analyze notions of the sublime in James Joyce’s Ulysses and how the sublime is evoked and presented in Joyce’s work. The present work will examine concepts of the sublime from the Classical and Medieval period, through the Enlightenment, and into the Romantic era to develop my own definition. Placing the sublime in a historical perspective allows me to discover how the sublime is at work through Joyce’s creative use of complex narrative approaches. The beauty of aesthetic perfection was achieved by employing all of Joyce’s artistic faculties. My thesis investigates how Ulysses’ experimental writing technique, unique structuring, and difficult prose created a work of genius which evokes the sublime. By analyzing Joyce’s use of language, unconventional narrative, and ambiguity in Ulysses I will explore how the sublime is aroused.

Post-Revolutionary Post-Modernism: Central American Detective Fiction by the Turn of the 21st Century

Contemporary Central American fiction has become a vital project of revision of the tragic events and the social conditions in the recent history of the countries from which they emerge. The literary projects of Sergio Ramirez (Nicaragua), Dante Liano (Guatemala), Horacio Castellanos Moya (El Salvador), and Ramon Fonseca Mora (Panama), are representative of the latest trends in Central American narrative. These trends conform to a new literary paradigm that consists of an amalgam of styles and discourses, which combine the testimonial, the historical, and the political with the mystery and suspense of noir thrillers. Contemporary Central American noir narrative depicts the persistent war against social injustice, violence, criminal activities, as well as the new technological advances and economic challenges of the post-war neo-liberal order that still prevails throughout the region. Drawing on postmodernism theory proposed by Ihab Hassan, Linda Hutcheon and Brian MacHale, I argued that the new Central American literary paradigm exemplified by Sergio Ramirez’s El cielo llora por mí, Dante Liano’s El hombre de Montserrat, Horacio Castellanos Moya’s El arma en el hombre and La diabla en el espejo, and Ramon Fonseca Mora’s El desenterrador, are highly structured novels that display the characteristic marks of postmodern cultural expression through their ambivalence, which results from the coexistence of multiple styles and conflicting ideologies and narrative trends. The novels analyzed in this dissertation make use of a noir sensitivity in which corruption, decay and disillusionment are at their core to portray the events that shaped the modern history of the countries from which they emerge. The revolutionary armed struggle, the state of terror imposed by military regimes and the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, are among the major themes of these contemporary works of fiction, which I have categorized as perfect examples of the post-revolutionary post-modernism Central American detective fiction at the turn of the 21st century.

2 Black Planes

Combined media on photographic paper. 78½" x 56" Ruth and Jake Bloom Collection

Oriente

Combined media on photographic paper. 89¼" x 56", Jargomatique Series.

Rocket Lure

Combined media on aluminum sculpture. 115½" Tall, Jargomatique Series.