ARTH1106 Modern Art, SP2015 Toggle navigation

This introductory course surveys the history of modern art from the late 19th to the early 21st centuries. It examines major works by important artists of such major art movements as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Non-Objective Art, Dadaism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, New Image, Neo-Expressionism and Neo-Conceptualism. Students will become familiar with core examples of painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, installation and performance. Students will consider the crucial role of these images and objects in the formation of their respective historical and cultural context. Through readings, class discussions, writing assignments and museum visits, students will explore the following questions: What is art? Is the appearance, or form of an art object its most important element? Is iconography an essential component of art history? What role does religion, biography, psychology, philosophy, society and politics play in the production of art making and perception? Students will further develop their critical understanding of this information through the development of research methods.