The Inoperative Community: Exhibition X Practice, UC Irvine 1965-2025

The Inoperative Community: Exhibition X Practice, UC Irvine 1965-2025 – an archival exhibition of the University Art Galleries (UAG) from 1965 to the present – provides an unprecedented look at the gallery’s evolving curatorial and artistic legacy, highlighting its significant role in shaping the artistic and academic communities at UC Irvine and beyond. The exhibition takes its title from Jean-Luc Nancy’s famed "Inoperative Community" essay, in which a non-hegemonic, fluid model of community is presented. In this context, the UAG's history is understood not as a linear narrative, but as an evolving, collective moment where diverse voices and practices converge and shift over time.

Schedule of Events for Oct. 11 Exhibition Celebration:
12–2 p.m.
25 Years at the Beall Center Panel Discussion | Beall Center for Art + Technology
Alaina Claire Feldman moderates a conversation with David Familian, Christiane Paul, Lucy HG Solomon, and Paul Vanouse, reflecting on the Beall Center’s 25-year history and its unique role as a hub for experimental, technology-driven art.

2–5 p.m.
Reception | Contemporary Arts Center Courtyard
Explore UCI Arts’ fall exhibitions, including The Inoperative Community: Exhibition X Practice, UC Irvine 1965–2025 at the University Art Gallery and 25 Years at the Beall Center at the Beall Center for Art + Technology

4–5 p.m.
An Inoperative Community: UC Irvine Panel Discussion with Mayor Larry Agran | Winifred Smith Hall
Irvine Mayor Larry Agran joins Juli Carson, Kevin Appel, Sasha Ussef, and Jesse Jackson for a conversation exploring the intertwined histories of UC Irvine, the city of Irvine, and the region’s cultural evolution.

The reception is free with registration.

Register for Oct. 11 Reception