Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

Taking early-20th-century modernist avant-garde artists' interest in so-called 'primitive' cultures as a starting point, this course explores the European avant-garde in constellation with global arts practices and recognises the avant-garde as an expanded field. It acknowledges a reversed direction of creative influence and supports a decolonising narrative by foregrounding the utilisation of avant-garde tactics by global artists and activists in the following geographies: Australia; South America; Africa; and East Asia. Using visual artworks, performance documentation, manifestos, critical essays and artists' testimonies, the course will examine the social, political, and aesthetic impact of avant-garde art across the globe.

10 x 1 hour lecture, as scheduled in MyCampus

10 x 1 hour seminar, as scheduled in MyCampus

Standard entry to Masters at College level.

N/A

None

One 3500-word essay (80%)

One group task (15 min. equivalent), e.g. live presentation, video podcast, recorded interview or other creative content (20%)

This course aims to:

-provide students with knowledge of global avant-garde visual and performing arts through critical analysis and engagement with a variety of source types.

-engage with theoretical frameworks that influence the study of modernist and avant-garde arts practice in a postcolonial context.

-explore the wider socio-cultural and political context of avant-garde visual and performing arts.

-develop an understanding of the historical influences on contemporary visual and performing arts practices in light of avant-garde innovations.

-facilitate a learner-centred approach by encouraging students to bring their own knowledge of historical and contemporary arts practice to the study of the avant-garde.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

- critically engage with primary and secondary sources on global avant-garde theory and practice.

- evaluate cultural artefacts and actions applicable to the study of art history.

- identify and assess key events, socio-cultural contexts, individuals, and movements that impact the development of historical and contemporary global arts practice.

- present this knowledge and understanding in oral and written form according to established scholarly conventions and appropriate to postgraduate level study.

- apply an interdisciplinary approach to the study of their subject.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.