A354 Contemporary Art: 1960 to Present

Instructor: Dawna Schuld

Lecture: Tuesday, Thursday 9:30am-10:45am

Spring 2012

This course is a survey of art since 1960 that delves into issues of art production, presentation, and criticism that have arisen in the past half century. During this period established boundaries have been challenged: between sculpture and painting, object and performance, art production and criticism, traditional and new media, and between art and life. We will discuss what it means to be a "contemporary" artist in relation to developments in art practice and criticism in an increasingly globalized context and delve into concrete examples that help contextualize the proliferation of theories and images that have arisen in this period. Emphasis will be placed on learning to engage, analyze, and write about contemporary works of art (some exhibited at the University Museum and SOFA Gallery) and on reading primary source material (including artists' writings and statements and contemporary criticism).

 

Main Assignments:

3 reading responses, no shorter than one substantial paragraph and no longer than one page, double-spaced. These may be written in response to any of the readings in the syllabus so noted as "(reading response)" after the page numbers. (10%)

 

2 viewing responses, one-two pages each, with specific emphasis on the visual information available to you. One is a required viewing response for the video art section, due by the following class on Apr. 5. The second, due Feb. 23, is a viewing response to a work of art on display at the University Museum (a list will be provided in class and on oncourse form which you can choose your object). (10%)

 

Essay and Writing Sections (30%)

   Research and Preparation--10%

   Writing/Thesis/Argument--20%

Writing about contemporary requires particular skills, including learning how to describe and analyze the work of art; how to conduct research and discern what constitutes a good resource; and how to synthesize these into a coherent and significant argument.

Final Essays will be 5-8 pp. (or approx. 1500-2200 wds) and can be about any one contemporary artist not covered in the syllabus whose work is of interest to you. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with Professor Schuld prior to choosing their chosen subject, due no later than Mar. 6th. You are also encouraged to refer to contemporary art journals, including Art Journal, Artforum, and Art in America, copies of which are available in the Fine Arts Library as well as in the Studio and Art History main offices, as well as contemporary art reviews in The New York Times or other dailies and periodicals that have separate art sections. In other words, it is useful and important to familiarize yourself with the contemporary art world beyond the class itself.

 

Contemporary Art: 1960 to Present Resources

 

Need help with your research? Contact:

Emilee Mathews, Interim Head of the Fine Arts Library for a research appointment or email the staff at the Fine Arts Library.

 

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