THE ART & LAW PROGRAM

The Art & Law Program

About the Program

Application Instructions

Application Form
Seminar Leaders

Fellows
Supporters

UPDATED JULY 2015

The 2016 term will cover the following subjects: history of critical theory, law and critical
theory (Deleuze, Derrida, Foucault, Lyotard), tangible and intangible property, technology,
drones, international law, employment and labor laws, the legal system and legal
interpretation, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Art & Law Program (The Program) is a 13-week seminar series with a theoretical and
philosophical focus on the effects of law and jurisprudence on cultural production and reception. An
examination of how artistic practices challenge, rupture, and change the apparatus of law completes
The Program. The Program consists of a nonpartisan community that aims to attract qualified
individuals in the areas of visual art, architecture, writing, curating, and film. This list is non-exclusive.
Artists with non-traditional practices are especially encouraged to apply, as are cultural producers
interested in the cultural effects of law. The Art & Law Program takes place in New York City from
mid-January to early May. In 2016 the Program will hold its seminars at the Triple Canopy space in
Brooklyn. Until further notice, please reserve Monday and Wednesday nights, 6-9pm, for these
seminars.
Fellows of The Program will meet once a week to discuss readings and visual materials with the
Director of the Program, Sergio Muoz Sarmiento, curator/art historian and Associate Director of the
Program, Lauren van Haaften-Schick; and/or with a guest seminar leader. Seminar leaders assign
required readings and present ideas and materials relevant to their areas of practice. There is a
particular emphasis on the understanding of legal cases and texts through a close analysis of
reading and writing.

Intellectual property and moral rights seminar, 2014.

Through an analysis of legal structures and modes of thought, the Program aims to critique current
artistic, curatorial, theoretical and art historical practices and methodologies. Conversely, the use of
law and jurisprudence as theory, practice and medium is explored.
Please note that The Program does not focus on traditional and conventional critical theories (e.g.Marxism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism, feminism, globalization, etc.), but rather investigates
how the philosophy and practice of law disturbs the critical theory establishment and creates a new
space and discourse for aesthetic, cultural and intellectual practices.
The Art & Law Program will conclude with an end-of-program retreat at Denniston Hill artist
residency.
Who Should Apply?
The Program seeks qualified, open-minded and self-motivated individuals with a genuine and
rigorous attraction to critical thought and debate. In particular, The Program welcomes candidates
who are open to controversial dialogue and who seek to challenge their respective practices.
With this in mind, there is no exhibition or paper presentations which conclude the program. Rather,
participants are highly encouraged to produce on their own a static or non-static material with
what is learned, or unlearned, during and after The Program. Please note that the Program is not
for everyone. Applicants are encouraged to study and fully understand the mission of the Program
and speak with alumni regarding the Programs structure and expectations of its participants.

2013 Art & Law Program residents at Denniston Hill, NY.

Origins
The Art & Law Residency, the first residency of its kind, was founded in 2010. During my studies at
Cornell Law School, I often wondered what it would have been like to have been exposed to legal
texts and legal scholars while I was a graduate art student atCalArts and a fellow at the Whitney
Museums Independent Study Program. The Art & Law Program brings this reflection into existence.
I now look forward to welcoming the seventh class to The Program in 2016.
Donate
The Art & Law Program is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Contributions for the purposes of Art & Law Program are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by
law. If you would like to donate to the Art & Law Program, you may do so online here.