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Courses

SPRING 2006

  • Contemporary Art and the Retrospective

    Jonathan Binstock, Curator of Contemporary Art, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Visiting Lecturer in the History of Art
    Explore the world of contemporary art by studying important "retrospective" exhibitions, which survey the life work of artists. Following a brief introduction to major movements in art since 1960, students will read major retrospective catalogues from past exhibitions and visit retrospectives that are currently on view. The course is taught by the Curator of Contemporary Art at Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., who is now organizing a large retrospective. Students will be able to learn about the making of an exhibition from the inside and develop an understanding of both contemporary art and curatorial practices.

  • Andy Warhol and Pop Art

    Professor Christine Poggi
    This seminar will explore the varied art of one of the icons of twentieth century culture, whose work received its first major public exhibition at Penn's own ICA. Warhol's art will be placed in the context of its time and in the context of the many media in which he worked. A study trip to the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh will be scheduled as part of the course. Transportation will be covered by funds from the Emily and Jerry Spiegel Program on Contemporary Culture and Visual Arts.

FALL 2005

  • Contemporary Art in Context: The Venice Biennale 2005

    Stephen Petersen, Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in the Humanities, Penn Humanities Forum
    The Venice Biennale, the sprawling international art show held every two years in the thirty national pavilions of the Giardini della Biennale and in the vast 16th-century shipbuilding and warehouse spaces known as the Arsenale, has been a leading international venue for contemporary art for over a century. It has also frequently been the occasion for artistic, political and social debates. With more than 300 artists from 60 countries participating, and over 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, the Biennale as it exists today offers a uniquely exciting and always controversial experience of cutting-edge art from around the world, including everything from paintings to high-tech installations. This year, California Pop artist Ed Ruscha, known for his witty word paintings, will represent the United States at the American Pavilion, while the large Italian Pavilion will feature an interactive environment based on the theme of the "Experience of Art." In addition to the extensive Biennale venues, numerous off-site exhibitions, sprinkled around the city, reward the adventurous and open-minded visitor.

    This seminar will include a five-day trip to Venice, Italy, over the October mid-term break. We will prepare for the trip by studying the history of the Biennale and its place in contemporary art, as well as past debates and controversies. Following the trip, students will report on their experiences and will investigate topics and issues raised by the exhibit. While exploring the past and present of the Biennale, we will be sure to consider as well the rich historic context for this most contemporary of exhibitions: the unique city of Venice itself.


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