Fall 2016 Art History 559: Art Since 1945 James Luna, Artifact Piece, 1987. Performance. San Diego Museum of Man. Prof. Bridget Gilman
[email protected] Tues/Thurs – 2 – 3:15 pm, Art North 412 Office Hours: Tues 12 – 1 pm, Thurs 10 am -11 am, and by appointment, Art South 557 Description This course will explore a range of artworks from 1945 to the present, considering both aesthetic innovations and their social, economic, and political context. Topics will cover diverse locations, artistic media, and historical events, from the postwar rise of American Abstract Expressionism to contemporary debates on global migration. Case studies will range from government- sponsored monuments to acts of protest. Widely-recognized movements will be paired with less canonical works, and particular attention will be paid to the roles of geography, class, gender, sexuality, and race in production and reception. The course will also introduce a range of interpretive lenses, familiarizing students with art history’s central debates and providing multiple methods for understanding contemporary art. Objectives The course will provide students with an expansive understanding of art produced after 1945. Students will not only be able to identify movements, artworks, and artists, but also to understand their historical context and interpretations. In-class interactive activities, readings, written responses, discussions, and exams will hone visual and textual analysis skills, allowing greater insight into the art of the recent past. Prerequisites Students enrolling in this course are required to have taken Art History 259, Introduction to Art History II. You are strongly advised not to take this class until you have the prerequisite.