Throughout the semester Cornell in Rome Art students receive critical feedback from a variety of visiting artists, gallerists, and critics. This semester, the Art students sought yet another avenue from which to receive the kind of thoughtful responses and analytical criticism essential to the art making process in the form of an interdepartmental critique. Although Architecture, Art and Planning are separate departments, they all exist within the same, close-knit college. However, for far too long there has been little overlap and interplay between these interrelated disciplines. While definitely different, an architectural viewpoint can bring a refreshing logic and aesthetic awareness to the sometimes overly theorized artistic process. For these reasons, the Art majors invited Cornell in Rome Architecture professor Andrea Simitch to conduct a guest critique of the Art students midterm works. The two hour critique session was followed by an open studio reception in which Architecture and Planning students were invited into the art studios to encourage interdepartmental dialogue and a sharing of ideas and critical feedback across the boundaries of Cornell’s AAP.
Professor Simitch visited each desk, viewing and discussing the work present and offering her opinions for development. At the culmination of the critique, the aspiring artists agreed that her feedback had been invaluable. Offering a critical eye, an open mind, and an outstanding generosity of advice, she brought a fresh perspective and a new momentum to the post-midterm art studios.
