Ten Decades, Ten Exhibitions: Popular Art Narratives of the Twentieth Century (VA2226.01)

Anne Thompson

This introductory course considers modernism and postmodernism through a close examination of exhibitions that shaped scholarly and popular conceptions of twentieth-century art. Starting with the Last Futurist Exhibition of Painting in 1915, readings, films, discussions and interactive lectures will address styles and ideas within the context of the art spectacle or “show.” Looking closely at one exhibition per decade, the class examines the machinations of the art world as it has evolved with economic and political shifts of the twentieth century into today. How did players and institutions, from curators and collectors to politicians and the press, combine to elevate certain artists and exhibitions to fame or notoriety? At the same time, students gain a foundation for understanding and critiquing sub-movements and concepts within modernism/postmodernism including Dada, collage, abstraction, Minimalism, Pop, Conceptual Art, appropriation, identity, and institutional critique.

Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 4
M 12:10pm - 2:00pm; W 12:10pm - 2:00pm
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Course Frequency:
This course is categorized as 2000, All courses, Anne Thompson, Four Credit, Monday and/or Thursday Afternoons, Updates, Visual Arts (VA), Wednesday Afternoons, and tagged , , , , , , , .