How Does "Contemporary Art" Work?

The twelve lessons of this course are divided into three segments of four lessons each, each one addressing specific questions about the key elements that constitute the contemporary art system.
1. Introduction to Key Players and Agents The first few lessons will introduce the actors and agents who bring contemporary art to the public: public and private institutions: museums, exhibition spaces (Kunsthalle), art galleries, biennials; the market: galleries, art fairs, auction houses; public and corporate art displays; the media system / Social media
2. Professional Roles in the Contemporary Art System The second part of the course will explore the professional roles that drive the contemporary art system: artists; curators and critics; gallery owners, dealers, and consultants; collectors
3. Trends and Developments in Contemporary Art The final segment will provide an overview of the main trends and developments in contemporary art production and the discourse on contemporary art over the past three decades.

The aim of the course is to convey to students, especially architecture students, the awareness that artistic achievements and productions do not take place in a vacuum, but are always tied to specific historically determined political, social, economic, and cultural conditions.
In this context, the classical avant-garde movements of the 19th and 20th centuries will be presented not as purely stylistic phenomena, but as reactions to the political and social conditions of their time.

• Gender equality
• Reduced inequalities
• Peace, justice and strong institutions

In presence

In presenza

Written quiz-style examination on a laptop