WRITING FOR ARTS & CULTURE - ART277 Spring 2025
Course
This course is an introduction to arts writing by taking advantage of the rich cultural life of Prague. There will be a focus on the temporary art exhibitions,
not necessarily only contemporary art. Experimental theatre and film will also be integrated as interdisciplinary forms in contemporary art. This is so that we take advantage of the numerous cultural festivals in the city, particularly for film or theatre. An understanding and appreciation of the role of cultural organizations and institutions will be emphasized, and so students will also be given the opportunity to meet with representatives of cultural organizations. Field trips to galleries, exhibits and other cultural events in Prague will be an integral component of the course. This activity will be combined with discussions of assigned readings from seminal to contemporary cultural critics and journalists.The primary reading is "How to Write About Contemporary Art" by Gilda Williams (available a the Library). Students will hopefully publish an essay or review in online publications based in Prague, or beyond.
Here is the course outline:
1. There is no single 'best' way to write about art
Feb 5
Introduction to the many forms of arts writing. Site Visit: Sometimes in Winter - meet the curator Mariana Serranova |
2. Thinking Through Film
Feb 12
Topic: Thinking Through Film exhibit at House of the Stone Bell |
3. Czech & International artists in video art contexts
Feb 19
Topic: Czech & International art in video art contexts Site Visit: House of Photography |
4. Jan Serych
Feb 26
Topic: Czech contemporary Art Scene-in private galleries Description: Jan Serych Site visit: Hunt & Kastner Gallery |
5. READ
Mar 5
Topic: International Group exhibition Description: READ by Elmgreen & Dragset Site visit: Kunsthalle Prague |
6. Dangerous Love
Mar 12
Topic: Dangerous Love (group exhibition) visit to Museum Montanelli |
7. Dungeon Keepers
Mar 19
Site visits: exhibition at Meetfactory |
8. Mid-Term Break
Mar 26
There is no session this week |
9. The Open Road
Apr 2
This session will include visit to Czech ethnographic museum |
10. Daniel Pitin
Apr 9
Visit to exhibit of Daniel Pitin at Hunt Kastner |
11. Zhanna Kadyrova
Apr 16
Topic: Ukrainian art Description: "Unexpected" by Zhanna Kadyrova Site visit: Galerie Rudolfinum |
12. Michael Bielicky
Apr 23
Art of Eastern Europe in a group exhibition |
13. Week 13 - Veronika Holcova
Apr 30
Veronika Holcova at Trafo Gallery |
14. Final Visits
May 7
Topic: Final visits for the course - TBA Description: Final excursions for the short final article/assignment |
15. Final Exams week
May 14
last meeting, and last visit |