Course content

In principle, art theory is understood as "the art of seeing art". The course concentrates on the role of theory and criticism in the context of contemporary art. It provides an introduction to art theory and experiments and plays with a variety of different notions of theoretical praxis. . Rather than with an identifiable body of knowledge, the course operates as an open and flexible collaborative learning environment. It introduces and critically examines key concepts of contemporary art theory and explores their impact on the major movements in visual art from the early 20th century to the present day.

Learning outcome

This course is constructed towards developing a methodology, couched in the proposition of contemporary theory, artworks and artefacts of visual culture. The students can reflect on and articulate the significance of art in relation to media and digital culture. The student has knowledge of the artistic theories and methods in the field of contemporary art and can use relevant methods for research and artistic development work.

Learning methods and activities

Based on the methodology of problem-based learning a variety of different formats is employed: Reading groups, lectures and presentations, artist's films and documentaries, studio visits, tutorials, one-to-one conversations, exhibiting, blogging, joint archiving and collective small-scale research projects. Students will be asked to co-host teaching sessions and re-visit texts of the curriculum in a joint project.

Additional information will be provided at the start of the semester.

Specific conditions

The course will be cancelled in case of not enough students have signed up.

Approved compulsory assignments are valid in the current semester.

This course is offered to international master’s students. Language of instruction is English.

Compulsory assignments

• Participation in course activities
• Assignment

Specific conditions