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Unit title
Modern and Contemporary Art
Unit code
2
HA
2M
ECTS Credits
15
Unit weight
4
JYA Credits
6
Timing & Length
Autumn & Spring terms
Convenor
Sue Malvern & Alex Potts
None
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
None
Excluded units
None
Assessment
2 essays
Level
Intended outcome
(Scroll down for Course Content)
Students will gain a broad understanding of the major movements and artists of the late twentieth century, both situated historically and in relationship to tendencies in contemporary art. They will examine differences of art in the pre- and post-war period as well as wider ideas which connect these periods. The unit stresses the importance of issues such as politics and identity, sexuality and gender, issues which are often addressed directly by the art of the late twentieth century. They will examine how art, and writing and thinking about art are closely connected in this period, as well as considering work which breaks down rigid distinctions between painting and sculpture, even questioning the nature of art itself.
Content
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the idea of modernism came under examination and scrutiny by critics, theoreticians and artists. Subsequently, the term post-modernism came into general currency, at first often in connection with architecture and then with all aspects of contemporary culture. A course which examines art in the late twentieth century must take account of the debates about modernism/post-modernism because the discussion and controversies of the last twenty years have also included reflection on how the history of the modern might be written. By taking a fairly broad tome span, we also question the simple dichotomy between modernist and post-modernist art. we begin by mapping out the main issues raised by the period, examining the interchange between critical discussion of art and artistic practice. We then focus on two phases, the 1920s and 30s, and the post-war and the contemporary art scene. In our exploration of the earlier phase, several important concerns emerge - the diversity of artistic responses to modernity, art and political ideology and breaking down the boundaries between art and life. Questions which become important for the later post-war phase include masculinities and femininities, consumerism and the politics of representation. We engage in detailed study of particular works of art, artists and movements, and at the same time discuss the wider issues these raise.
Date last published Aug 18, 2000