90693 - Exhibitions, New Media and Performing Art

Learning outcomes

Students develop the theoretical-methodological and historical-critical tools to understand the evolution of artistic movements with particular reference to New Media Art, Performing Arts and the problems concerning their exhibition. With the critical awareness acquired, students are able to carry out documentary and bibliographic research in paper and digital repertories, and to produce original texts for the research and dissemination of the contemporary artistic heritage.

Course contents

Starting from the critical awareness of the role that exhibitions have played since the end of the Sixties in terms of contemporary culture, a chronological selection of the most relevant case studies will be presented, with a peculiar distinction of the points of view and roles within the "exhibition score" (artist vs curator, artist vs space, etc.). Particular emphasis will be placed on the analysis and recognition of the different types of sources and archives with respect to the History of the Exhibitions; to arrive at an exhaustive comprehension and reconstruction of the curatorial concept and the exhibitory setting.

Readings/Bibliography

Tobia Bezzola, Roman Kurzmeyer (editors), Harald Szeemann: with by through because towards despite : catalogue of all exhibitions 1957-2005, (Zurich: Editions Voldemeer; Wien - New York : Springer 2007).

Klaus Biesenbach (curated by), Marina Abramovic.The Artist is Present, (New York: The Museum of Modern Art 2010).

Bruce Altshuler, Biennials and Beyond. Exhibitions that Made Art History 1962-2002, (London - New York: Phaidon Press 2013).

Jens Hoffmann, Show Time. The Most Influential Exhibitions of Contemporary Art. Revised and updated edition, (London: Thames & Hudson 2017).

Teaching methods

Lectures, guided through powerpoint presentations and video projections.

Students are encouraged to play an active role within the course; the last 20 minutes of each lesson will be used for a round of comments and observations related to the topics developed during the lesson or to specifically recommended texts.

Assessment methods

The student will be assessed according to the following percentages:

50% a classroom presentation, concerning a topic to be previuously agreed with the Professor. Each presentation will last no more than 15 minutes and it is followed by 10 minutes discussion. Final classroom presentations will take place within the last lesson. Further details and possible topics will be provided at the beginning of the course;

25% participation to the course and to the 'round of comments' at the end of each lesson as well as to the classroom final presentations;

25% questions regarding the topics and bibliography of the course.

Non-attending students are invited to contact via e-mail the Professor (eleonora.charans@unibo.it) for the definition of a specific program.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations and videos.

Office hours

See the website of Eleonora Charans