It was since 2015, the director position held by Nathalie and Charles de Gunzburg at the Dia Art Foundation. But now it is endowed by Jessica Morgan. It is a gift from them. It is pleasure to have responsibilities of such a great place. On being asked, de Gunzburg replied, “She’s an extremely bright young woman with incredible energy and vision. She’s the leader that Dia was waiting for.” She is the one who supported Morgan a lot two years back.
With her help, this New York-based institution from London was brought two years ago. Morgan was engaged in Tate Modern and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston as a curator initially. In the beginning of her tenure at Dia foundation, she molded the institution in different ways.
Since then she did not stop. One of the great works from the foundation is known to appertain to Walter De Maria, La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela and Dan Flavin. She brought many historic and notable presentations of work by artists in recent times. She even succeeded in introducing historic contemporaries into the collection.
Dia art foundation
Some of the artists who contributed in this regard are Anne Truitt, Brice Marden, Robert Ryman, Michelle Stuart, Lee Ufan, Kishio Suga. She was appreciated the first time when she expanded the range of projects. She was not at all feminist but she incorporated women artists and even increased their collection. In her tenure, she even organized the program in Chelsea and that for the second time. She kept Dia alive and in current affairs by organizing programs in Beacon. She was forward-looking as well as backward looking.
It is because she knew very well the history of Dia as well its future. She has done a lot for Dia. She has contributed a lot and thus she holds a great place in the experience book of DIA foundation. After the endowment procedure when she was interrogated, she replied: “This transformative gift will have an enduring impact on the institution”. She added, “A gift of this nature underscores the high value that the de Gunzburgs place on Dia and is a significant affirmation of the institution and its future.”
Art form of the foundation
After the endowment, she was little nervous because she was taking the responsibility. It was the beginning of the new experience. But at the same time she was happy as the foundation’s responsibility has been given to the apt person. Since 2002, Morgan has been a curator at Tate, and in 2010 she became Daskalopoulos Curator, International Art, at Tate Modern in London. She had been the Artistic Director of the 10th Gwangju Biennale as well.
Dia art foundation was established in 1974 as the Lone Star Foundation. It is a non-profit organization which was founded by Philippa de Menil. It is popular throughout the world to support, present, and preserves art projects. It was started with the sole motive of support projects who are supposed to preclude other funding sources. ‘Dia’ means “through” which has derived from the Greek word.
This name was chosen only to promote institution’s role as a platform to recognize artistic projects. Priority was given to the artistic works that might not otherwise be realized. Some of the great works in the history of Dia belongs to 1960s and 1970s. It has experienced many different collections in last few years. Dia is known to organize site-specific installations and long-term exhibitions.
Many budding scholars come and showcase their talents here. Dia commissions, supports, and presents of work by these artists. It is the boon for young artists and the budding talents. Then it was renamed and the foundation started to be called Dia Center for the Arts. It was all set to accord platform to poetry readings, performances, lectures, and publications. It was a new beginning for the foundation.
An event taking place in Dia
Dia’s name and fame didn’t change. The Board of Trustees of Dia Art Foundation decided to change their director. It was opened on September 5, 2014. She never quit and that is the reason she became the director of Dia art foundation in January 2015. Dia has given support and aid to many designers since years. It had provided them the intellectual, logistical, and financial resources, whatever they required.
Dia has been dedicated and sincere towards the society for many years and it had been an inspiration for many. Whenever people needed ideas and directions they always got Dia as a supporter. It ensured to accord time and space to artists and to deeply explore them. It always tried to manifest the ideas and it always bothered to do justice to the artwork. It always tried to create extraordinary projects and programs. The board of trustees has, though, changed the director but they want the iconic image to be maintained. They want the new director to increase goodwill and to expand it much more.
One of the epic works of the foundation is Walter De Maria’s The Lightning Field and Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty. Site-specific artworks and installations have always been its signature style and so it should be maintained. It is a great responsibility which has to be fulfilled with great concern. To be selected as a director was not an easy task for Morgan. The Board of Trustees created a Search Committee which included Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Nathalie de Gunzburg, along with Trustees Mark Booth and much more. The director was chosen after the acceptation of each and every member.
“To know of Jessica Morgan’s committed involvement to contemporary art and its artists, and how this can align with Dia’s history and ongoing mission, gives me full confidence that with her leadership Dia will continue onto another period of unique advancement,” said Brice Marden, Trustee, Dia Art Foundation.
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