Artist Talk: Mitchell Syrop

This was one of the most interesting artist lecturers from the semester. The talk was mediated by the head of the sculpture department Lisa Lapinski and the talk also featured art critic Bruce Hainley, and musician Mayo Thompson of the former psychedelic rock band the Red Krayola. The lecture was organized in conjunction with Mitchell's gallery show at Roski's graduate building, and discussed not only his recent work, but more importantly the accessibility of his previous work to younger generations. Thompson, a cynical, extremely vocal character, commented on the vagueness of the student questions. “Art does not need to be critiqued,” he said. He believed that Syrop's work, along with all other visual and performing art, is free for interpretation but put forth by the will of the creator. Especially with an artist whose work can be as abstract as Syrop's, it was interesting to hear him speak about his intentions now vs. when he began “Watch It/Think It”, a staged movie clip with a specific, dated, washed-out feel that he remembers from his early childhood.