This module brings the Euro-American horizon of contemporary art into comparison with non-Western practises from Africa, Latin American, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. The module covers early colonial globalization, as well as case studies from the post-war period 1945 to the present, encompassing cold war avant-gardes and also artistic tendencies post-1989.
Through the study of key artworks and texts the module analyses globalization and its complex consequences for the contemporary art world today. It focuses on the construction of the historical narratives of imperialism, the visual culture of colonialism, nationalism and liberation struggles, and postcolonial art movements of resistance and subversion.
The module will also examine museum and gallery practice in relation to global art.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
demonstrate a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the module’s taught content
describe relationships between relevant contemporary art works and the cultural and historical environment covered by the module, including questions of colonialism and globalization
identify and analyse relevant frameworks for critical discussion of global contemporary art.
comment on theoretical and other matters embodied in primary or other secondary sources relating to the topics covered by the module