Knowledge of the historical and historiographical evens of photographic culture in Europe and the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries; knowledge of the events related to the main photographic collections; ability to read the photographic image from a technical, historical and intertextual point of view; ability to understand the developments of photographic language in the larger context of figurative culture; ability to investigate photography’s role in the documentation of artistic practices.
teacher profile teaching materials
Regular attendance is warmly suggested. A basic knowledge of Modern History and Modern Art History is required.
- A. Gunthert, M. Poivert, Storia della fotografia dalle origini ai giorni nostri, Electa, Milano 2009 (or. ed. 2007);
- Jean-Claude Lemagny, André Rouillé, Storia della fotografia, Sansoni, Firenze 1988 (or. ed. 1986).
Further materials will be provided in class.
Distant learning
Students who cannot attend on a regular basis must inform the instructor of their distant learning status by March 15, 2020. In any case, they are warmly advised to set up at least one appointment with the instructor during their study period, in order to discuss class objectives and learning strategies.
For the final exam, distant learning students are responsible for the following text, including all photographs and artworks reproduced therein:
- A. Gunthert, M. Poivert, Storia della fotografia dalle origini ai giorni nostri, Electa, Milano 2009 (or. ed. 2007);
- M. Mozzo, Note sulla documentazione fotografica in Italia nella seconda metà dell’Ottocento, tra tutela, restauro e catalogazione, in Arti e storia nel Medioevo, vol. IV, Il Medioevo al passato e al presente, a cura di E. Castelnuovo e G. Sergi, Einaudi, Torino 2004, pp. 847-870;
- O. Lugon, Lo stile documentario in fotografia. Da August Sander a Walker Evans, 1920-1945, Electa, Milano 2008 (or. ed. 2001), pp. 9-134.
Programme
This lecture class offers an introduction to the history of photographic languages, practices, and cultures during the 20th century. Lectures will focus on the "close reading" of different types of photographic texts (including individual images, series, photo-texts, books, and exhibitions) and will discuss case studies associated with the crucial moments in the medium's affirmation as an intellectual and artistic field.Regular attendance is warmly suggested. A basic knowledge of Modern History and Modern Art History is required.
Core Documentation
Reference texts:- A. Gunthert, M. Poivert, Storia della fotografia dalle origini ai giorni nostri, Electa, Milano 2009 (or. ed. 2007);
- Jean-Claude Lemagny, André Rouillé, Storia della fotografia, Sansoni, Firenze 1988 (or. ed. 1986).
Further materials will be provided in class.
Distant learning
Students who cannot attend on a regular basis must inform the instructor of their distant learning status by March 15, 2020. In any case, they are warmly advised to set up at least one appointment with the instructor during their study period, in order to discuss class objectives and learning strategies.
For the final exam, distant learning students are responsible for the following text, including all photographs and artworks reproduced therein:
- A. Gunthert, M. Poivert, Storia della fotografia dalle origini ai giorni nostri, Electa, Milano 2009 (or. ed. 2007);
- M. Mozzo, Note sulla documentazione fotografica in Italia nella seconda metà dell’Ottocento, tra tutela, restauro e catalogazione, in Arti e storia nel Medioevo, vol. IV, Il Medioevo al passato e al presente, a cura di E. Castelnuovo e G. Sergi, Einaudi, Torino 2004, pp. 847-870;
- O. Lugon, Lo stile documentario in fotografia. Da August Sander a Walker Evans, 1920-1945, Electa, Milano 2008 (or. ed. 2001), pp. 9-134.
Type of delivery of the course
Class lectures and reading seminars.Type of evaluation
The final grade will be based on two midterm tests on the materials presented in class and an oral examination on the required readings. Long distance students will be evaluated on the basis of an oral exam covering all the assigned readings and artworks.