27928 - Laboratory (1) (LM) (G. E)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the meetings of the workshop the student knows how to organize and collect complex information in a coherent form, and knows how to apply critical analysis methodologies on the visual arts. He / she also knows how to use appropriately the sources of information necessary to undertake research in the different areas of the visual arts.

Course contents

The workshop will follow two guidelines.

On the one hand, it will highlight the possibility of placing the productive typologies of the artefacts of medieval Western art within a framework of parallel comparison, relating them to those used in other non-European cultural areas, especially Eastern ones, considering how similar functions in figurative arts and architecture are developed in different geographical contexts, which has as its consequence the questioning of some traditional chronological partitions in historiography (the understanding of these facts will facilitate students' competence in the practices of mediation and communication of art in an intercultural non-European key). Among the examples: forms and functions of the sacred place between Christianity and Buddhism; the difference between iconic image and narrative image; sensorial interactions.

On the other hand, following an increasingly practiced trend, some examples of derivation will be investigated, in which formal and iconographic ideas external to the Western world are received and exploited, and become widespread. Examples will include: the theme of Barlaam and Joasaph; the use of 'oriental' motifs in Italian painting at the turn between 13th and 14th centuries; the origins of the 'Romanesque' repertoire.

* Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

The general texts of introduction (those on which students will be asked to practice for the final abstract) are:

J. Baltrušaitis, Il Medioevo fantastico. Antichità ed esotismi nell'arte gotica, it. ed. 1972 and later editions

J. Baltrušaitis, Arte sumera, arte romanica, it. ed. 2006

A.K. Coomaraswamy, Sapienza orientale e cultura occidentale, it. ed. 1975 and later editions 

A.K. Coomaraswamy, Il grande brivido. Saggi di simbolica e arte, it. ed. 1987 and later editions

A.K. Coomaraswamy, La danza di Siva, it. ed. 1997 and later editions

A.K. Coomaraswamy, Tempo ed eternità, it. ed. 2003

A.K. Coomaraswamy, L'albero, la ruota, il loto. Elementi di iconografia buddhista, it. ed. 2009

A.K. Coomaraswamy, Bellezza e verità. Saggi sull'arte cristiana e orientale, it. ed. 2017and later editions

J.L. Opie, Nel mondo delle icone. Dall'India a Bisanzio, it. ed. 2014 and later editions

(you can obvioulsy read each of these books in the original and / or English editions)

Further, and more specific, indications will be provided during the meetings.

 

Teaching methods

In the first part of the workshop (11-12 meetings) a series of topics and ideas will be presented (see contents) in the form of a lecture.

In the second part (the last 3-4 meetings) the students will be asked to present short reports of cases similar to those addressed, highlighting parallels or derivations between the European medieval artistic context and the rest of the world.

Other scholars invited by the teacher will also be present.

Assessment methods

Those who will attend the meetings regularly (at least 12 out of 15 attendances), in order to obtain the qualification, will be required to develop a paper (3/5 pages of 2000 characters of text without notes, plus images and bibliography, if applicable also the subject of the possible oral report during the meetings), which will be evaluated by the teacher, and to prepare the reasoned and considered abstract of one of the reference texts indicated in this program; both are to be sent by mail at least two weeks before the date of the exam (appello).

Non-attending students will instead have to present the written presentation of an example of their choice on the topics of the laboratory, identified and developed by the student; and prepare the reasoned and considered abstract of two texts among those indicated, following a scheme that will be prepared by the teacher; with the same deadline as other students.

The result will be ELIGIBLE / NOTE ELIGIBLE.

* Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

 

Teaching tools

Projections of images via powerpoint, which will be made available to students, as well as some of the reference texts on the cases that will be examined.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizio Lollini