Criticism + Value

Catalog description

This course will introduce students to the practice of art criticism, and art writing through examining the relationship of art history, art writers, poets and artists. Students will practice both writing as a method of thinking through and evoking ideas, as well as practice verbally describing artwork in real time and negotiating conversations with practicing artists invited to the Criticism + Value platform. Participants in this hybrid creative writing and criticism course will hold studio visits with working artists as well as produce different forms of writing such as ekphrasis, poetry, short essay, art writing and criticism. Students will have opportunities to produce images through photography, photo-collage, and a collaborative publication of visual criticism/ art writing. Some of the writers we will cover in this course are: Anna Chave, Robert Farris Thompson, Linda Nochlin, Alfred Gell, Harold Rosenberg, William Rubin, Thomas McEvilley and many other key societal commentators on literature, art and society. By practicing forms of writing such as ekphrasis, poetry and short essay, along with producing experiences through photo essay, video essay and conversing with artists, students will gain an understanding of the relationship between artist and critic, writer and artist, writer and phenomena in the world.