Marc-Olivier Wahler is the new director of Michigan State University’s Broad Art Museum. He talks with MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and Spartans Athletic Director Mark Hollis about the challenges in presenting contemporary art, including the language used to describe it, and about the opportunity to “continue bridging the community and the university.”
Among Wahler’s goals for The Broad is showing more of the university’s collection by expanding into space in East Lansing. He explains how billboards and bird houses play into his plans. And he describes what he means by modern museums being more into software than hardware these days.
“Art is a toolbox for our everyday life,” says Wahler. “It’s a question of what language you use and what kind of story you tell. We try to put the visitor in a process of a story that is continuing with him.”
The group talks about how it’s OK to return to a museum even when you don’t like a particular exhibit.
MSU Today airs Sunday afternoons at 4:00 on AM 870.