A Short Life of Trouble

A Short Life of Trouble
by Marcia Tucker

Discussion Questions

1. On page 12, Tucker says that, after her clay sculptures melted in the oven, she made a pact that "I would never, ever again create something thinking that I would be able to preserve it." How did this learning foreshadow her future with the New Museum?

2. How do you think Tucker's early life and family situation affected her path and choices in adulthood?

3. On page 1, Tucker says, "The work I like most is always the art I don't understand" and then quotes Leo Steinberg on page 81: "If a work of art disturbs you, it is probably a good work. If you hate it, it's probably great." What do these quotes mean, and how did Tucker use them to guide her understanding and appreciation of art?

4. On page 83, Tucker says that there are two ways to curate exhibitions. What are the two ways and which did she employ?

5. How did Feminism affect Tucker's life and work?

6. Why did Tucker start an art museum? (p. 121)

7. On page 126, Tucker discusses her decision to pay everyone at the New Museum the same salary, then, later, talks about her decision to move away from this model. Do you think this was the right idea? Why or why not?

8. On page 129, Tucker discusses the exhibition Bad Painting, and asks the questions: "Was there really such a thing as 'bad' art, I wondered, and if so, who set the standards? The artists? The public? The critics?" What do you think?

9. On page 124, Tucker talks about the New Museum's approach to its collection. How did it differ from other institutions, and why?

10. Especially at its inception, the New Museum was a radical institution that challenged the paradigm in many ways. Does it still hold true to this today? Why or why not? If you were to create a new institution today that challenges the current paradigm, what issues would you seek to resolve?