WRITING FOR ARTS & CULTURE - ART277 Spring 2025
Course

This course is an introduction to arts writing by taking advantage of the rich cultural life of Prague. There will be a focus on the temporary art exhibitions,
not necessarily only contemporary art. Experimental theatre and film will also be integrated as interdisciplinary forms in contemporary art. This is so that we take advantage of the numerous cultural festivals in the city, particularly for film or theatre. An understanding and appreciation of the role of cultural organizations and institutions will be emphasized, and so students will also be given the opportunity to meet with representatives of cultural organizations. Field trips to galleries, exhibits and other cultural events in Prague will be an integral component of the course. This activity will be combined with discussions of assigned readings from seminal to contemporary cultural critics and journalists.The primary reading is "How to Write About Contemporary Art" by Gilda Williams (available a the Library). Students will hopefully publish an essay or review in online publications based in Prague, or beyond.
Here is the course outline:
1. There is no single 'best' way to write about art
Feb 5
Introduction to the many forms of arts writing. Site Visit: Repeated Survey: Ostrava (the Ostrava Scene) |
2. Helena Wilson
Feb 12
Topic: The Czech Underground & Helena Wilson - photography |
3. Chiharu Shiota - Contemporary Art - the International Scene
Feb 19
Topic: Chiharu Shiota Site Visit: Kunsthalle Prague |
4. Josef Koudelka
Feb 26
Topic: Josef Koudelka - Ruins Description: Josef Koudelka - Czech photographer Site visit: UMPRUM |
5. Visions of the World
Mar 5
Topic: group exhibition - paintings Description: Visions of the World Site visit: Kampa Museum |
6. Libuse Jarcojakova - Contemporary Photography
Mar 12
Topic: Libuse Jarcovjakova visit to Prague National Gallery |
7. La Grande Bellezza
Mar 19
Site visits: exhibition at Museum Montanelli |
8. Mid-Term Break
Mar 26
There is no session this week |
9. Tono Stano
Apr 2
This session will feature Tono Stano - Slovak photography |
10. Kevin V. Ton
Apr 9
Visit to exhibit at the Leica Gallery |
11. Free Time
Apr 16
Topic: Free Time Description: meet curator Veronika Cechova Site visit: Chateau Troja |
12. Poetics of Encryption
Apr 23
Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum |
13. Week 13 - David Lynch - Art on Film
Apr 30
Film Art & Visual Art of David Lynch session |
14. Final Visits
May 7
Topic: Final visits for the course - TBA Description: Final excursions for the short final article/assignment |
15. Final Exams week
May 14
last meeting, and last visit |