Constellations: HAA 2401 Special Topics Contemporary - Theory and Practices of Production
Two major sets of questions and practice will be explored: a. The theorization of the following concepts: modernity, modern art, modernism; postmodernity and postmodernism; contemporary art and theory in the conditions of contemporaneity. b. Specific practices of production as well as modes of consumption, including their interplay, in the visual arts and related cultural forms, such as contemporary art, architecture, new media, design, print media, film and television. Some of the issues to be addressed: the changing theorizations of modernity and postmodernity, the persistence of the past, the resilience of the institutions, the impact of new technologies, the nature of contemporaneity, cultural difference and différance, communication between cultures, the theory of iconomy, and questions of cultural value formation including cultural economics. Terry Smith will present work in progress. Seminar participants are invited to develop papers that approach the above issues in relation to their own research interests. The course should be of interest to students in history of art and architecture, cultural studies, film studies, philosophy, communication, anthropology and sociology.
