"Unsafe subjects" are topics often referred to as "unmentionable," at least those which some would prefer not discussed–-certainly not in polite company, or not with people whose views are different from one's own. In certain strains of art, we have long seen a tendency to push the parameters of discrete discussion and to present points of view discordant with prevailing moral, political, religious, and ethical attitudes. In the last two decades, in particular, we have seen artists, historians, magazines, and museums embrace a great deal of art addressing subjects infrequently aired in words, much less presented in images.

Examining works by Robert Colescott, Karen Finely, Bob Flanagan, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Lyle Ashton Harris, Barbara Kruger, Frank Moore, Allison Saar, Carrie Mae Weems, Brian Well, Sue Williams, David Wojnarowicz and others, this talk will attempt to fathom the seriousness and purpose of their confrontive, combative, rarely subtle, often angry art.

Cosponsored by: Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Graduate College, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, The Council of Deans, The Center for Advanced Study, George A. Miller Endowment, George A. Miller Committee, Peggy Harris Memorial Fund, School of Art and Design, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Department of Psychology, Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), Office of Continuing Education and Public Service, Rohlen Visiting Artist Endowment, University High School, Champaign Public Library and Information Center, Champaign School District #4, PrairieNet, Urbana School District #116