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Coordinator: Karen Keifer-Boyd Social theorists work to dismantle powerfully entrenched ideologies of the individual artist, hierarchies in the artworld and positioning of people, and to challenge notions of universal standards. Social theorists believe that meanings are created within specific sites in a historical, material and linguistic world. Social theory concerns investigations into power struggles. Therefore issues of race, gender, social class, education, and sexual orientation are relevant sites for performing social actions to change hierarchical power structures. I believe that there is no social reality "out there" independent of the observer. Reality is constructed by individuals. Some individuals have more power than others in constructing reality. The unquestioned realities of those that dominate language usage/meaning, images, values, or traditions act to suppress or erase most peoples' history and presence. Self-reflexivity (i.e., to be critically self-aware) are key social theorists tools. I believe it is important to question and challenge dominant paradigms, hierarchies, histories and what counts as knowledge; and to seek a plurality of voices naming their own experiences. I thank the plurality of voices of CSTAE members who have enriched my life and given me an opportunity to open spaces as coordinator of the Caucus on Social Theory and Art Education for members over the past 6 years. After 6 years serving the CSTAE from JSTAE editor (1995-97), to coordinator-elect (97-99), and then coordinator (99-01)--there will be a new space in my life. I am confident in Mike Emme's leadership as he becomes coordinator for the next 2 years (2001-2003). Mike mentored me as I took over editorship of the Journal of Social Theory in Art Education in 1995 and supported me during his 2 years as coordinator-elect. Many CSTAE members energized me with their dedication to exposing social, historical, and political processes that suppress creative participation in society. These social theorists discuss the cultural meanings of art, and problematize the boundaries of what is defined as art, and work to enable all to contribute to visual culture. I thank Gayle Weitz, jan jagodzinski, Hank Foreman, Dennis Fehr, Ed Check, Ken Marantz, Amy Brook Snider, Peter Purdue, Arthur Guagliami, Sara Wilson-McKay, Kim Cosier, Doug Blandy, Rogena Degge, and many other CSTAE members I have dialogued with over the past 16 years at CSTAE events. I value CSTAE dialogue and so created a space for it to continue with more voices joining the CSTAE dialogue at: <http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/kkb/disc2_welc.htm>. This dialogue is public, present, and archived simultaneously. Asynchronism is a strange but prevalent way that we experience time, physical space, and communication today. Moments after writing a thought people can stumble upon or seek our words or read them years later. Ken Marantz and Mary Ann Stankiewicz have begun the online CSTAE dialogue. Now in this time of transition for CSTAE nominate yourself or a colleague you value to serve as coordinator-elect (2001-2003), recorder at the annual business meeting in 2002 & 2003, NAEA News Columnist (2001-2003), or serve as the delegate in 2002 at the NAEA in Miami Florida. Service to a CSTAE position is transferred with mentorship after the NAEA conference. While I will prepare the materials for
the annual business meeting, Mike Emme
has kindly offered to lead it as I will not arrive in NYC until
after midnight on Friday. I will
be arriving from Taiwan where I was invited to present on interactive aesthetics. I hope to visit
with you on Saturday and Sunday. I plan to stay in
NYC until Monday. CSTAE member, Jim
Sanders is headed for New Zealand at the
end of the NAEA conference and so he and I, along with Dennis
Fehr, traded our NAEA presentation
time-slots. Jim will present at noon and 3 p.m.
Click on Mike Emme's
coordinator-elect report to print and take with you to
Mike and I have explored having an organized social event for CSTAE members and friends but decided to make a decision to get together on Saturday or Sunday at a place and time decided at the annual business meeting on Thursday at 8-8:50 p.m. (Midtown Suite). If you can not attend the annual meeting come to a CSTAE member sessions to learn of when and where we are getting together in NYC. You will find me at noon in the Gibson Suite on Sunday. Sincerely, |
Coordinator's Message, Karen Keifer-Boyd
NAEA News Columnist, Dennis Fehr
Journal of Social Theory, jan jagodzinski
CSTAE Dialogue: Inquiring about Vincent Lanier
CSTAE Web site requests
Send Newsletter Electronic Submissions to: Shirley Hayes Yokley-Witzel
syokley@mtsu.edu
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