American Feminist Art 3301-KA2528-2ST
This class is for students interested in contemporary culture, visual art (with a particular focus on feminist art), history of art, and critical thinking about art. During classes, we will discuss works by selected American artists, placing them in historical and political contexts. We will explore feminist art as a tool of social criticism, capable of crafting new ways to address the social contract. We will use visual materials, including photos, clips and documentaries that present their works. We will read texts by artists and criticism/theory, relevant to their art practice.
The artists will be presented in chronological and thematic order, accompanied by a short theoretical introduction to facilitate the discussion and analysis of their works. The corresponding texts will consider the following categories: body, representation, gender, race, performativity, and other issues connected with subject formation and expression.
The reading materials are to enhance students to theorize the presented works in a more general context, considering the political and social dimension of art.
Among the artists discussed in class are Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, Mary Kelly, Yoko Ono, Nan Goldin, Marina Abramovic, Renee Cox, Kara Walker and others.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
K_W02 advanced principles of research design applied in literary studies and culture and religion studies, in particular the principles of method and tool selection in formulating research problems
K_W03 advanced-level structures, lexis and conventions of spoken and written English
K_W06 selected dilemmas and issues of contemporary civilization in the light of various academic disciplines, as related to the compulsory subjects included in the programme and other elective courses
Abilities
K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and research methods of literary studies and culture and religion studies to solve complex and original research problems in accordance with his/her chosen specialization (and educational path)
K_U03 use structures, lexis and language conventions appropriate to the communicative situation (e.g. holding a public debate, giving an academic presentation, etc.) in spoken and written English at the minimum level C2
according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - a student can interpret, analyze and synthesize the linguistic, cultural, social, historical and economic dimensions of selected phenomena
K_U06 apply knowledge from different academic disciplines relating to selected dilemmas and issues of contemporary civilization
Social competences
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K03 fulfill social obligations, co-organize activities for the benefit of the social environment
K_K04 initiate action in the public interest, think and act entrepreneurially
Assessment criteria
Continuous assessment (class preparation and participation): 50%
Final test: 50%
Bibliography
Brooker, Peter (ed.). Modernism/Postmodernism. London and New York: Longman, 1992.
Chicago, Judy. Beyond the Flower: The Autobiography of a Feminist Artist. New York: Penguin Books, 1996.
Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: BBC I Penguin Books, 1972.
Brennan, Marcia. Painting Gender, Constructing Theory. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2001.
Butler, Cornelia (org.) WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution. Los Angeles: MOCA Publishing, 2007.
Foster, Hal (ed.). Discussions in Contemporary Culture, vol. 1. Seattle: Bay Press, 1987.
Foster, Hal (ed.). The Anti-Aesthetic: Essays on Postmodern Culture. New York: The New Press, 1998.
Harrison, Charles and Paul Wood (eds.) Art in Theory 1900-1990. Oxford, UK i Cambridge, US: Blackwell Publishing, 1993.
Harrison, Charles, Paul Wood i Jason Gaiger (eds.) Art in Theory 1815-1900. Oxford, UK and Cambridge, US: Blackwell Publishing, 1998.
Heartney, Eleanor and others (eds.) After the Revolution: Women Who Transformed Contemporary Art. Munich, London, New York: Prestel Publishing, 2007.
Joselit, David. American Art since 1945. London: Thames&Hudson, 2003.
Kruger, Barbara and Phil Mariani (eds.). Remaking History: Discussions in Contemporary Art, vol. 4. Seattle, Bay Press, 1989.
Leja, Michael. Reframing Abstract Expressionism: Subjectivity and Painting since the 1940s. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1993.
Munro, Eleanor. Originals: American Women Artists. Da Capo Press, 2000.
O’Reilly, Sally. Body in Contemporary Art. London: Thames and Hudson, 2009.
Pollock, Griselda. Vision and Difference: Femininity, Feminism and the Histories of Art. New York: Routledge, 1993.
Reckitt, Helena (ed.) Art and Feminism. New York: Phaidon Press, 2006.
Robinson, Hilary (ed.) Feminism-Art-Theory. Oxford, UK and Cambridge, US: Blackwell Publishing, 2001.
Slatkin, Wendy (ed.) Women Artists in History: From Antiquity to the Present. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: