The course aims to provide the methodological tools related to art-historical investigation, focusing on visual and textual sources, theoretical and historiographical debate.
Skills will be acquired to study works of art in their context, to read and interpret primary sources and to carry out autonomous bibliographical research by consulting specialised libraries and electronic resources. Finally, students will be able to analytically interpret and comment on works and contexts of the contemporary age using specialist terminology.
Skills will be acquired to study works of art in their context, to read and interpret primary sources and to carry out autonomous bibliographical research by consulting specialised libraries and electronic resources. Finally, students will be able to analytically interpret and comment on works and contexts of the contemporary age using specialist terminology.
teacher profile teaching materials
Through a seminar format, the course examines the different sources for the study of contemporary art, and the intersections between art-historical investigation and the historical and political context. The main subject of the first part of the course will be methodological problems related to the critical study of primary and secondary sources, and historiography.
In the second part of the course the methodological tools will be applied through a number of in-depth studies focused on works, artists, exhibition projects and museum collections, built up through a plurality of visual and textual sources (photographic and video documentation, letters and writings by artists, publicity, posters, exhibition catalogues).
Finally, a series of seminars will look at the contemporary world and will be dedicated to the analysis of the most recent research and practices of contemporary artists who have considered and used pre-existing images and texts and who have interpreted the concept of the archive in an original way.
Programme
Contemporary Art and the ArchiveThrough a seminar format, the course examines the different sources for the study of contemporary art, and the intersections between art-historical investigation and the historical and political context. The main subject of the first part of the course will be methodological problems related to the critical study of primary and secondary sources, and historiography.
In the second part of the course the methodological tools will be applied through a number of in-depth studies focused on works, artists, exhibition projects and museum collections, built up through a plurality of visual and textual sources (photographic and video documentation, letters and writings by artists, publicity, posters, exhibition catalogues).
Finally, a series of seminars will look at the contemporary world and will be dedicated to the analysis of the most recent research and practices of contemporary artists who have considered and used pre-existing images and texts and who have interpreted the concept of the archive in an original way.
Core Documentation
Given the seminar-like nature of the lectures, punctuated by meetings and visits to archives, foundations and exhibitions, the bibliography will be provided during the different sessions in the course and, where possible, discussed in class.Attendance
attendance is strongly recommendedType of evaluation
Evaluation will be on the basis of a written paper on a topic agreed upon with the professor. The paper should not exceed 3,000 words (except bibliography and image captions). It must be handed in 15 days before the date of the chosen examination call. In evaluating the examination, the determination of the final grade will take into account certain elements, such as for example: the level and quality of knowledge of topics; the ability to analyze the assigned topic critically; the logic of arguments in support of a thesis; the ability to apply theories and concepts to contexts; the use of vocabulary appropriate to History of Modern and Contemporary Art.