Course Description
This intensive engagement with visual art and the written word asks students to understand, apply, evaluate, and critique ways in which language and art intersect.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be expected to produce an extensive
research paper on specific works or issues related to the course
topic. This paper will be a detailed, in-depth consideration of
the student's chosen theme requiring not only a demonstration of
advanced research skills (including the ability to locate and
use primary source material and/or material presented in foreign
languages), but also an articulation of the student's ability to
understand and manipulate appropriate methodologies and the
critical apparatus of art history in connection with the topic.
Athena Title
Artists' Writing
Undergraduate Prerequisite
ARHI 2400 or permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course offers a critical introduction to writing and art from 1950 to the present. This intensive engagement with visual art and the written word asks students to understand, apply, evaluate, and critique ways in which language and art intersect. In doing so, we seek to improve scholarly skills, including analytical precision and writing clarity. Artists' art works will be examined in comparison to their writing, and we will consider why certain periods of art produced more writing by artists than others. This consideration will necessitate discussions surrounding the role of criticism and publications such as Artforum and blogs like Artfagcity. Students will be asked to question the role of writing to an artistic practice as well as to the reception of an artist's work. Students will be required to write weekly reading responses, lead class in groups, participate in class discussions, and create a final project and paper in accordance with class themes.
Topical Outline
The class is organized around art movements, genres of writing, and artists. Week 1 Introduction: Why Artists Write/Letters -- John Cage John Cage's letters Week 2 Art and Abstraction -- Newman, Judd, Stella, and Riley Week 3 Robert Smithson and Magazine Writing Week 4 Manifestos -- Andrea Fraser, L’, c’est moi and Mierle Laderman Ukeles, “MANIFESTO FOR MAINTENANCE ART” Week 5 No Wave: Mike Kelley, Nan Goldin Week 6 Political Writing -- Adrian Piper, David Wojnarowicz, Richard Serra, and Hans Haacke Week 7 Language as Art/Graffiti -- Roni Horn, Jenny Holzer, Keith Haring Week 8 Language and Concepts -- Kosuth, Reinhardt, Robert Irwin, Laurie Anderson Week 9 Art and Life -- Allan Kaprow, Joe Brainard Week 10 Statements -- Baldessari, Steve Reich, Beryl Korot Week 11 Conferences Week 12 Interviews -- Vija Celmins, Sophie Calle Week 13 Criticism and Cultural Critique -- Dan Graham, Mel Bochner, Hermine Freed Week 14 Presentations Week 15 Presentations