PROFESSOR IAN DAMERELL
Vilnius Academy of Art, Vilnius, Lithuania
06/01/2016 14:53:10
SEMINAR:THEORY AND DISCURSIVE PRACTICE
ART, DEATH AND EROTICISM
My art theory book 'Unfolding the Cards' (Published 2013) is a source for the seminar. The lectures are based, loosely, on key points from it. Unfolding the Cards imagines art study where discussions, act as stimuli for an ever increasing arena of ideas. The main idea is that:
1. Art study is a discussion
2. Art’s position in contemporary society is fragile
Key terms are: Generosity, followed by Nomadic Forum , Positive Critical Uncertainty and Communalism. Generosity and Communalism indicate the need for a more social and ethical approach, but this is not anti-individualistic. Nomadic Forum and Positive Critical Uncertainty are my terms for art discussion. I believe that we have inherited certain problems from postmodernity - the breakdown of the canon, the destruction of the communal, coupled to highly individual self-realisation. In fact, art study that concentrates on mainstream success may well undermine quality in the process of qualifying for corporate success. In my opinion, our political and cultural spheres require a strengthening of the communal, by promoting ethical considerations in order to act as a balance and a counter manoeuvre to consumerist and corporate ideology. The wish that art study can reconnect to a collective desire of a good society relates to a forum for critique, but is critique still possible in art?
There will, too, be references to Georges Bataille, relating to art, death and eroticism, and to others associated with these ideas. In addition, the lectures and seminars will attempt to explore the complexity of finding one's own voice as an artist within the current art scene.
SEMINAR AIMS
A student will be able to identify, analyse and apply a broad knowledge of contemporary theoretical approaches to the creative process of art.
A student will be able to identify, analyse and apply, in particular,knowledge of postmodern (poststructuralist) theoretical strategies used in the creative process of art.
A student will be able to identify, analyse and apply a dynamic/thematic approach to the historical knowledge and understanding of art theory and aesthetics. This will, nevertheless, focus,in the main, on recent history.
A student will be able, through awareness of modes of presentation and knowledge of art contexts, to present,with certain clarity and conviction, her /his personal art/creative strategies and activities/production. In addition, this can include assessment of the work’s impact on the society.
LECTURES
UNFOLDING THE CARDS: KEYWORDS
Introducing the main keywords from my theory book
POINTS OF IMPOSSIBILITY 1
An approach to the effect of contingencies on grand ideas
POINTS OF IMPOSSIBILITY 2
An approach to the effect of contingencies on grand ideas. A critique of progress.
VIRUS
Concerning the effect of the outer environment on Art Study
ART AMONG THE IMAGES
Art‘s future in a world dominated by images
PARTICIPATORY ART
Happenings, Performances… participation art and its problematic arena
NEW VALUES: BALDESSARI + CRAIG MARTIN
Old values that created a more liberal approach to educating artists
IMAGES AND THE WORDS THAT FAIL THEM (PART 1)
A problem-based approach to the relationship between visual art and theory
DECEPTION, CONTROL AND DESIRE
This lecture deals with the the idea of seduction
N.B. THIS SELECTION OF LECTURES, REVISED SINCE LAST YEAR, CAN CHANGE RADICALLY DEPENDING UPON THE COURSE TAKEN DURING THE SEMINAR.
The seminar day is divided as follows:
10.00 – 13.00 Lectures
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch break
14.00 – 14.45 Student presentation and discussion
14.45 – 15.30 Student presentation and discussion
SEMINAR/PROJECT TEXT
1. Student presentation: a chosen aspect of your work, related, if possible to theory. Time allocated, including discussion: 45 minutes.
2. Student written text: Art theory that relates to your own work/zone of interest, and, in some form, to the themes presented in the seminar lecture series. 400 – 500 words. Presentation of texts: 3 students allocated 20 minutes each followed by 40 minute discussion.
This work, including participation in discussions, will form the basis for final grades for the seminar.
