Allan McCollum at the New York Public Library Oct 6 | Ask a Question

Allan McCollum and Josiah McElheny at the New York Public Library

UPDATE: Season 3 artist Josiah McElheny has been added to the event.

A Conversation with Allan McCollum and Josiah McElheny

Tuesday, October 6, 6:00 p.m
New York Public Library
South Court Auditorium, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street
FREE

As part of Art21’s Access 09 initiative celebrating Art:21—Art in the Twenty-First Century Season 5, a conversation with contemporary artist Allan McCollum will be preceded by a screening of the artist’s Art:21 segment from the episode Systems.

Applying strategies of mass production to hand-made objects, in the series McCollum explores the meaning of the unique work of art versus that of mass-produced objects for a society gripped by consumption. He is best known for creating large quantities of nearly identical-yet still unique-component objects which then constitute a single work of art. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is provided on a first come, first serve basis.

This event is co-presented by Art21 and The New York Public Library, The Art Collection at the Mid-Manhattan Library.

Allan McCollum is featured in the Season 5 episode Systems, premiering Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

Preview the Season 5 segment here.

Have a question for Allan McCollum? Tell us in the comments below for a chance to have it asked at the event. If so, we’ll post his response on this site.