Artesis Plantijn Hogeschool Antwerpen
Koninklijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen
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Contemporary Art: postmodernisms31195/1717/1920/1/36
Study guide

Contemporary Art: postmodernisms

31195/1717/1920/1/36
Academic year 2019-20
Is found in:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts, programme stage 3
    Choice package:
    • aan opleidingsonderdelen naar keuze
This is a single course unit.
Study load: 3 credits
Teaching staff: Daems Aurelie
Languages: Dutch
Scheduled for: Semester 2
This course unit is marked out of 20 (rounded to an integer).
Possible deadlines for learning account: 09.03.2020 ()
Re-sit exam: is possible.
Possibility of deliberation: This course unit is eligible for deliberation according to the criteria as determined by the degree programme you are enrolled in.

Short description

The course zooms in on developments in the visual arts from the 1960s to the end of the 20th century. Post-minimal and postmodern art movements, such as Conceptual Art, Anti-form, Process Art, Art Povera, Land Art, Performance, Video, Neo-Expressionism, Hyperrealism, as well as The Picture Generation and Art & Activism will be addressed throughout the semester.

The aim of the course is to provide students with an artistic framework and theoretical background in order to provide in-depth insights into the then current artistic practices. The context and specificities of each movement will be thoroughly taught, and will be made explicit through the analysis of a selection of international artists, artworks, important journals, manifestos and publications, as well as relevant exhibitions. Students are invited to visit relevant exhibitions on a regular basis, in museums, art galleries, artistic centers, foundations and institutions in order to link the content of the course with today's artistic landscape.

Students are strongly encouraged to gather additional visual documentation and information regarding art movements and artists discussed, through a selection of scientific literature and reliable on-line information, provided by the lecturer. Interaction and dialogue are strongly stimulated during the course and via small assignments. Frequent attendance is therefore highly recommended.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Prerequisite competencies (text)

De student has a thorough insight into the artistic developments up to ca. 1968 (she Contemporary Art: neo-avant-garde).

Learning outcomes (text)

  • The student can independently process various forms of information about contemporary art into a contemporary framework.
  • The student can situate the oeuvre of a self-chosen visual artist from this period and interpret it in a personal way.
  • The student can use his art-historical knowledge as a frame of reference.
  • The student knows about and has insight into the western art developments of the seventies, eighties and nineties of the 20th century.

Learning outcomes (list)

BA3 - The student knows about and understands the social, cultural, artistic, historical and international context of the visual arts and artistic praxis, and continues to develop this knowledge and understanding.
The student can independently process various forms of information about artistic topicality into an up-to-date frame of reference.
The student can situate the oeuvre of a self-chosen visual artist from this period and interpret it in a personal way.
The student can use his art-historical knowledge as a frame of reference.
The student knows and understands the Western art developments of the seventies, eighties and nineties of the 20th century.

Course content

Structure of the course's content (can alter)

The 1970s - 1980s: Post-minimalism and the emergence of postmodernism:

1.  Introduction to the course: post-minimalism and postmodernism
2.  Context within contemporary society
3.  Conceptual Art
4.  Anti-Form and Arte Povera
5.  Land Art
5.  Performance and Body Art

The 1980s - 1990s: The breakthrough of postmodernism:

6.  Video Art and Installation
7.  Neo-Expressionism, transavantgarde and Hyperrealism
8.  Art and Activism, Post-colonialism and Global Art
9.  Object Art and The Picture Generation
10. Relevant exhibitions and art world protagonists
11. Relevant film or relevant visit

Study material (text): Recommended

  • Good handbooks for additional reading and to start your research with (note that each book has an extensive bibliography at the end): Michael Archer, Art since 1960 (World of Art, Thames and Hudson, London, 1997); Brandon Taylor, The art of today (The Everyman Art Library, London, 1995);
    David Hopkins, After Modern Art 1945-2000 (Oxford History of Art, 2000); Valerio Terraroli, The Art of the 20th Century: 1969-1999. Neo-avant-gardes, Postmodern and Global Art (SKIRA)
  • International Art Journals such as Artforum, Frieze and others are encouraged as well.
  • For (visual) documents see google images, wiki art and www.ubuweb.co

Educational organisation (list)

Learning Activities
Lectures and / or tutorials
Work time outside of contact hours

Evaluation (text)

Written exam, based on:

1. Recognition of artworks (situating artists and artworks with title and date) and discussion of the works of art.
2. Open question relating to the discussed art movements, positioned in a broader context.
3. Comparison.