This interview is the first in a series hosted by M. Hamilton, Ph.D. student in Art History and Visual Culture Studies student. This is the beginning of a series of interviews, introducing you to the students in Art History here at UW. You’ve seen their announcement about professional achievements, now we hope to introduce them in a more personal way. Thanks for reading!
Levi, thanks for meeting me here at the Chazen to answer some questions for the Art History newsletter readers.
You are just about to defend your dissertation, and therefore you’ve spent a few years locally now. You know the Madison area! Can you let the incoming students in on your favorite spots? What will you miss when you move on to your next opportunities?
Biking along the lakeshore path is the nicest commute I’ve ever had. I’m sure I’ll miss that! I’ve really enjoyed living on the west end of campus, especially being able to walk to Wingra Park and the Arboretum. I’d encourage people to visit the Arboretum in every season (even winter).
For those students who have just arrived in Madison this fall, can you provide some tips and tricks for staying warm through the winters here?
My biggest recommendation is to layer — not just because it keeps you warmer but because some buildings (or rooms) on campus will be much warmer than others.
Next: let’s time travel. What was your day-to-day world like when you applied to this program?
When I applied to this program, I was working as a graphic designer at the University of Missouri. At that point, because of Covid, I was working from home, where I also had a small studio for my art practice.
Your life has changed quite a lot between that time and now. What are you most proud of, or what are you most grateful for that took place in the intervening years?
I’m probably most proud of continuing my art criticism project, Artists’ Book Reviews. I have reviewed an artists’ book every month since April 2019 — through a pandemic, a move to Madison, coursework, exams, and writing my dissertation. I might be the only person who would notice if I missed a month, but it felt important to keep it going.
Is there anything about you, your life, your hobbies, or your work that you would like the opportunity to share?
Much of my work is about the 1960s, and I’ve recently been reflecting on how lucky I am to be able to correspond with some of the artists I research. They’ve been generous with their time and supportive of my work, and I truly feel it’s a privilege to be trusted with their stories.
Thank you so much for sitting down to have this conversation with me! I know that you are going to do incredible things, and it has been a real joy being in the program with you.