Seminar Contemporary Art

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_KAMAKGS027

Course Objective

1. In depth knowledge of a key recent issue/topic of contemporary art, both concerning artistic practice and the reflection thereof in academic literature 2. Thorough understanding of the hybrid nature of contemporary art practice (crossing not only genres but often even disciplines) and its consequences for methodological approaches to contemporary art 3. Ability to identify and formulate an independent research question related to a given topic, and to conduct this research with a high degree of autonomy, based on in depth critical analysis of international literature as well as primary source. 4. Ability to communicate the research design and findings in the form of an oral presentation and scientific paper, and to engage in discussion with peers on each other’s research.

Course Content

In this course, students engage in depth with key issues in contemporary art and practice their research skills. The topic of the course changes each year, and is closely related to the research of the respective teacher. We will engage with the chosen topic through key theoretical writings on the (post)modern, the (post)contemporary, alter-globalization, the post
- and decolonial... and through strategies of contemporary art, artistic research and activism. Artists have found their own ways to visualize, articulate and intervene in our contemporary conjuncture. In interlinking the local and the global, the past and the present, they create imaginaries and reflections that allow for a better understanding of the often complex processes that shape our present. Apart from giving presentations on the basis of the course readings, students will choose their own research paper topic, which allows you to bring in your own interests and match the course with your individual learning goals.

Teaching Methods

seminar

Method of Assessment

Participation (20%) Oral presentation (20%) Final paper (60%) Students have to pass the final paper to pass the course.

Literature

The syllabus will be posted on CANVAS.

Target Audience

MA students Arts & Culture: Contemporary Art history, RMA students Critical Studies in Art & Culture, MA students Curating Art & Cultures, MA students Arts & Culture: Comparative Art and Media Studies, Kunst, Markt, and Connaisseurschap, Design Cultures, as well as exchange students from humanities disciplines with adequate knowledge of art history or equivalent.

Recommended background knowledge

BA MKDA, BA art history, comparative art and media studies, or equivalent