Is the classical debate about “high” and “low” culture still valid? In what ways do artists and artisans collaborate on the production of serialized objects? To what extent are these exclusive artworks designed to be used? Textiles, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, fashion, glassware, wallpaper and architectural features are just some of the artistic creations commonly designed to be useful and intended for everyday use, and they continue to be areas in which many creative artists experiment.

Prominent among these was Pablo Picasso, and the purpose of this seminar is to highlight the interest of Picasso and many other artists in serialized works, and to look at the issues arising from the relationship between conventional “museum art” and the applied arts today. Led by Pepe Karmel, professor of art history at  New York University, guest speakers include experts Prof. Néstor García Canclini; Will Gompertz, artistic director of the Barbican Centre, and researcher Clare Finn.

Collaborations between artists, artisans and manufacturers; the relationship between the idea or project and its production or technique; the physical space of the studio and the place where a piece is manufactured; the one-off piece and the serial one, are among the subjects that will be discussed over two days, on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th November, at the MPM Auditorium.