| CODE | AAH3020 | ||||||||
| TITLE | The Art and Ideas of the 20th Century | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Art and Art History | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit offers an in-depth analysis of selected writings, letters, manifestos, reviews, and interviews relevant to and related with the study of 20th-century art. It examines seminal texts authored by influential scholars, covering the full spectrum of methodologies, from formalism to contextual approaches, feminist critiques, and post-modern perspectives. The writings of artists, scholars, and critics are explored in relation to the turbulent historical and social shifts of the 20th century. While the sources chosen predominantly reflect European and American contexts, the inclusion of a few Maltese texts enriches the discourse, highlighting the complex and productive dialogue between the peripheral and the mainstream. Study-Unit Aims: To make learners familiar with important critical texts dealing with the art of the 20th century. To give learners the necessary tools to intellectualise and problematise concepts about 20th-century art. To discuss specific texts and see what possible ramifications they might have on the story of art and the manner with which images are viewed. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Interpret key texts, including critical essays, artist manifestos, personal letters, and interviews, that haveshaped the discourse on 20th-century art. - Demonstrate an informed engagement with a choice of art critical writings, ranging from formalist to contextual, feminist, post-colonial, and postmodern approaches. - Apply theoretical and critical frameworks derived from the readings in the students’ own academicwriting, seminar discussions, and visual analysis. - Compare different methodologies, understanding how they reflect or respond to particular historical, political, or cultural conditions. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply the knowledge received to broaden his/her discussion of Modern and Contemporary Art. - Use the methods and methodologies encountered to broaden his/her ways of argumentation. - See connections between visual art and other artistic expressions. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Stiles Kristine and Selz Peter, Contemporary Art A Sourcebook of Artists’ Writings, University of California Press, 1996. Frascina Francis and Harrison Charles, Modern Art and Modernism A Critical Anthology, Perseus, 1987. Virginia Woolf, Oh To be a Painter, Thames and Hudson, 2021. Gauguin Paul, Ramblings of a Wannabe Painter, David Zwirner 2016. Herschel Chipp, Theories of Modern Art, University of Caifornia Press, 1984. Fenech Victor, Malta Six Modern Artists, (especially the introduction by Peter Serracino Inglott), Malta University Services, 1991. England Richard, Contemporary Art in Malta, (especially chapter by A.C. Sewter), A Malta Art Festival Publication, 1973. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Christian Attard |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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