90615 - Forms and Functions of Contemporary Art (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have acquired a detailed knowledge of the main artistic movements and main players in the art history of the 19th and 20th century. Students will possess the skills and methodologies to carry out autonomous research and the tools to investigate scientifically the work of contemporary artists. Students will also be able to critically evaluate. Furthermore, students will be able to analyze the processes of exchange and interaction between individual authors and artistic currents.

Course contents

The exam for History of Contemporary Art A consists of two courses: Theories and Forms of Photography (Prof. Marra) and Forms and Functions of Contemporary Art (Prof. Pinto). Contemporary Art History is an integrated exam of 12 CFU (6 CFU+6 CFU) and the verification and evaluation of the preparation follow the procedures laid down for an integrated exam, i.e. they must be taken in the same session and students must then register simultaneously for both exams.

The course aims to examine some of the most significant passages of the Twentieth century that identify features that have marked the entire development of contemporary art. In particular, we will try to analyze the evolution from the concept of sculpture at the beginning of the century to the idea of installation that will see its full development in the second half of the Twentieth century. In this journey a decisive role is played by the figure of Marcel Duchamp, who will be analyzed both through his best known artistic work and through a series of activities, only apparently external to his work, from which many of the most current artists will take their inspiration.

Readings/Bibliography

bibliography

Krauss R., Passaggi. Storia della scultura da Rodin alla Land Art, Bruno Mondadori, Milano 1998.

and one from this list:

Chiodi S. (a cura di), Marcel Duchamp. Critica, Biografia, Mito, Electa, Milano 2009.

Subrizi C., Introduzione a Marcel Duchamp, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2008.

Only for attending students, instead of the book, it is possible to opt for a handout with some essays on Marcel Duchamp that will find in the material of the “Insegnamenti on Line” (https://iol.unibo.it)

Suggested reading:

H. Foster - R. Krauss - Y.A. Bois - B. Buchloh, D. Joselit, Arte dal 1900, Modernismo, Antimodernismo e Postmodernismo, Zanichelli, 2017.

Teaching methods

Lectures with the aid of projection of images and videos.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an interview to evaluate the critical and methodological skills acquired by the students. Students will be assessed especially considering whether they have acquired ability to orientate within the visual and written sources recommended in the bibliography and on the AMS Campus online platform, for finding useful information to illustrate topics and issues by connecting them.

What will be assessed: - Mastery of the contents - the ability to historically frame artists, exhibitions and movements - The ability to analyse themes and concepts - The ability to express oneself adequately and in a language appropriate to the subject being dealt with.

It will be assessed as excellent the performance of those students achieving an organic vision of the course contents, the use of a proper specific language.

It will be assessed as average the performance of those students showing mostly mechanical or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, not articulated synthesis and analysis capabilities, a correct but not always appropriate language, as well as a scholastic study of the topics of the course. It will be assessed as barely sufficient the performance of those students showing learning gaps, inappropriate language, lack of knowledge of the recommended bibliography. It will be assessed as insufficient the performance of those students showing learning gaps, inappropriate language, no orientation within the recommended bibliography and inability to analyse the discipline.

Teaching tools

As already reported in the bibliography, the PDFs will be available online with the images projected during the lectures. In addition, further relevant materials relating to the course contents may be added.

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Pinto