Exhibition Machines

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_AABAMKD201

Course Objective

At the end of this course, students are expected to: 1. be familiar with the concept of 'exhibition', historically, theoretically, and practically; 2. be acquainted with international landmark exhibitions as well as exemplary Dutch institutions; 3. demonstrate an understanding of the networked character of the art system and cultural sector, its various actors, objectives, processes of mediation, and its historic development, as related to diverse forms of exhibits (visual arts, architecture, heritage objects, design, film) and exhibitions (museum exhibition, festival, biennial, expo); 4. have practiced their skills in synthesizing information from various sources (lectures, texts, group discussions), critically reviewing such information as well as actual exhibitions, and presenting your results orally and in writing, assisted by means of diverse media.

Course Content

This course deals with: 1. The history and theory of exhibiting art and culture from curiosity cabinet via museum and world expo to contemporary exhibitions, festivals, and biennials; 2. The function and purpose of exhibitions, which have long been a means of mediating culture and politics, educating society, establishing cultural and national canons and narratives, promoting artists and artifacts, and a vehicle for curatorial statements; 3. How artists have reflected upon the nature of exhibitions
- not always in a positive sense (e.g. so-called "institutional critique").

Teaching Methods

The lectures and seminars of this course are offered in English only and assignments should be submitted in English. Students following the Dutch (i.e. bilingual) track can submit all written assignments in either English or Dutch. Exceptions are multiple-choice tests, assignments with peer reviewers across language tracks, and group assignments (across language tracks).

Method of Assessment

This course comprises a written assignment (40%) and a written exam (60%). Connection between learning objectives and assessment: Learning objective 1: exam. Learning objective 2: exam. Learning objective 3: exam, written assignment. Learning objective 4: written assignment.

Literature

A list of the mandatory class literature will be published on Canvas. Suggested introductory literature: Bruce Altschuler (ed.), Salon to Biennial: Exhibitions that made Art History, London (Phaidon) 2008, vol. I: 1863-1959, and Biennials and Beyond: Exhibitions that made Art History 1962-2002, London (Phaidon) 2013; T.J. Demos, ‘The Tate Effect’, in: H. Belting & A. Buddensieg (eds.), The Global Art World: Audiences, Markets, and Museums, Ostfildern (Hatje Cantz) 2009, pp. 256-65; Elena Filipovic, Marieke van Hal & Solveigh Ovstebo (eds.), The Biennial Reader, Ostfildern (Hatje Cantz), 2010; Reesa Greenberg, Bruce W. Ferguson & Sandy Nairne (eds.), Thinking about Exhibitions, London (Routledge), 1996; Henrietta Litchi, ‘The Poetics and Politics of Exhibiting Other Cultures’, in Stuart Hall (ed.), Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices, London (SAGE) 1997, pp. 151-208.

Target Audience

This course is compulsory for all BA MKDA students in their second year.

Additional Information

For attendance rules, see Teaching and Examination Regulations. Students should be aware that regular attendance is necessary to pass the course.

Entry Requirements

See the Onderwijs
- en Examenregeling (OER), c.q. Teaching and ExamRegulations (TER) for MKDA.

Recommended background knowledge

Basic knowledge in Art History and/or Cultural History.