CONTEMPORARY ART HISTORY I

The class will provide the core knowledge for the study of contemporary art history, focusing on the main movements, artists and exhibitions of the 20th and 21st centuries. Artistic personalities, artworks, trends and exhibitions will be examined in their cultural-historical connection from diachronic and synchronic perspectives and in relation with their historical, social and cultural contexts of provenience.
The course is addressed at students whose last names begin with a letter included between F and O. No exceptions or transfer to or from other partitions will be allowed.
The 12 ECTS course is divided into two modules, each consisting of 6 ECTS. Students who have both modules in their study plan are required to take both modules within the same academic year, otherwise any partial module taken will be forfeited. Students are strongly encouraged (but not required) to give the exams in a chronological order, thus first Module I then Module II.

The first module will provide an in-depth knowledge of the art history from the first half of the 20th century, introducing students to key artists, works and texts regulating the contemporary art system.
The main objective of the course is to enhance skills in the following fields:
- to recognize the works and artists discussed in class and place them in a proper theoretical, historical and cultural context
- to develop critical skills and analyze an artwork within its historical context and from multiple perspectives, including its technical, iconographic and stylistic features
- to strengthen communication skills and acquire a vocabulary appropriate to the given context

There are no pre-requirements. A preliminary knowledge of the arts of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries will be helpful

The module will offer an investigation into the contemporary art from an historical perspective and within an international context. A comparative analysis of the topics addressed in class will be carried out within a period spanning the first half of 20th century.

Notes from the lessons.
The first half (1900-1944) of the following handbook: H. Foster, R. Krauss, Y.A. Bois, B. Buchloh, D. Joselit, Arte dal 1900: modernismo, antimodernismo, postmodernismo, edited by Elio Grazioli, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2016 (or any previous edition)
Further material will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Suggested, non-mandatory, reading for those interested in the arts from 19th century: E. H. Gombrich, The Story of Art, chapters 24, 25, 26.

Two-hour written exam, divided into two parts:
1) Four artworks, among the ones commented in class and included in the uploaded slides, to be recognised, contextualised and commented.
2) Two open questions about artists, artworks and topics presented in class.
The use of books, notes, and electronic media is not allowed during the exam.

Lessons open to the discussions and commentaries of the slides and texts presented in class.
Talks and presentation by invited guests.
The materials presented in class will be available on the Moodle e-learning platform together with additional sources.

Students with Special Educational Needs are invited to contact the Inclusivity Service at Ca' Foscari before the beginning of the course.

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