This talk will feature a screening of Marion Scemama's David Wojnarowicz: A Conversation with Sylvére Lotringer and Marion Scemama (run time: 70min). A portrait of David Wojnarowicz’s life and work, this film by Scemama is based on a five hour interview with Wojnarowicz conducted by Sylvère Lotringer in 1989. Scenes of Wojnarowicz speaking are intercut with previously unseen documents from David Wojnarowicz Papers, Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University; P.P.O.W and the Estate of David Wojnarowicz; and Marion Scemama personal archives. The screening will be followed by a conversation between Marion Scemama and Amy Scholder about the life and work of David Wojnarowicz.

Marion Scemama is a French photographer and filmmaker based in Paris. In 1983, she met the artist, David Wojnarowicz in New York where she lived and worked at the time. Out of this encounter was born a special friendship, one marked by mutual support and numerous collaborations (photos, texts, and videos). In 1991, the last year of Wojnarowicz’s life, they embarked on a journey together into the American South-West, which would become his last.

Amy Scholder, a visionary editor and publisher, who brought wide visibility to the authors she worked with, is noted for her contribution to both contemporary literature and popular culture. The editor of several books by Wojnarowicz including Memories that Smell Like Gasoline (Art Space, 1992), Fever: The Art of David Wojnarowicz (The New Museum, 1998), and In the Shadow of the American Dream: The Diaries of David Wojnarowicz (Grove, 1998). Scholder currently serves on the board of Lambda Literary, and is at work on a documentary feature titled Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen.

The Graduate Art Seminar is a forum for graduate students and members of the ArtCenter community to enter into dialog with internationally recognized artists, critics, and art historians. The Seminar is a core component of ArtCenter’s Graduate Art program. The Seminar is also free and open to the public.


ArtCenter’s Graduate Art program is based on intensive studio practice and rigorous academic coursework. The program is distinguished by its low faculty-to-student ratio that provides students with the attention and feedback they need to refine and achieve their artistic goals. Faculty and students are artists working in all genres—film, video, photography, painting, sculpture, performance and installation. A significant number of alumni have achieved national and international acclaim and often return to share their insights and expertise as visiting faculty and guest lecturers.