O espelho e a constituição do sujeito na obra de Dan Graham

Abstract

In an attempt to stress the challenges posed by the visual arts throughout the 1960s and 1970s, challenges which are closely related to a novel conception of both the art object and the spectator, this dissertation analyzes the work of Dan Graham, one of the artists that most effectively questioned received views about the nature of art and the role of the audience. To understand these challenges more deeply, we focus on Present Continuous Past(s), an installation of Graham’s that makes use of mirrors and a closed-circuit television system in order to question the traditional concept of art object and emphasize the more active, conscious role of the spectator (subject). The dissertation begins by considering Minimalism and Postminimalism contributions, paying close attention to the use of reflective materials and their capacity to mediate. The purpose of this is twofold: on the one hand, it allows us to put Graham’s work into context and, on the other, it seeks to confirm Graham’s unparalleled career.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Jorge Vaz de Carvalho (Supervisor) & Pedro Miguel Cardoso Lapa (Co-Supervisor)