Founders of Modernity in the Arts of the Americas

Catalog description

This course will present critical material regarding the introduction of a “modern spirit” in the visual (as well as literary, musical, and pan-cultural) arts in North and South America and the Caribbean in the 20 th century. Major figures will be discussed in every lecture. Their contributions to art and culture in the first half of the twentieth century will be examined in light of the social and political circumstances of their times. Issues of diversity, equity and inclusion will be a high priority in this course. The choice of topics has been made to include artists of color (Afro-descendant and Asian-American artists play major roles) as well as those who represent communities of the physically differently-abled. Another important focal point is on LGBTQ artists. Each lecture will be amply illustrated with representative works in order to give an ample panorama of the development of modernity in the Americas from c. 1920 to 1980. This course is part of the NYU Big Ideas series and will be offered in Fall 2020 only.