Modern-Contemporary Art Prctce

Catalog description

Survey of art movements and stylistic currents in the United States and Europe from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Course evolves around two key historical thresholds: the early 1900s marking the formation of the concept of modern art and the year 1945 associated with the notion of a caesura (Lat. break, interruption) in Western culture that gave rise to the emergence of post-war art as well as contemporary art since the 1960s. Course explores broader geopolitical themes that framed the artistic production in Western and non-Western settings. Close analysis of artworks will be complemented with the study of key texts in art history and criticism. Artworks to be studied present a wide range of case studies including traditional media such as painting, sculpture, and photography as well as more recent practices such as installation, performance, video, digital, and art exploring new media. Special attention will be given to concepts of “center vs. periphery,” the impact of artists’ travel, displacement, and migration, as well as the dynamics of the art market, museum politics, and efforts to decolonize art-related institutions. Writing assignments, reading reports and discussion threads will facilitate preparation and follow-up for each class. Regular class attendance, completion of reading assignments, and completion of an independently chosen, instructor-approved research project are essential for successful class performance.