TAD3412

Issues and problems in the visual arts 3B

3 points - One 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week - Second semester - Caulfield - Prerequisites: Successful completion of two second-year level TAD subjects - Corequisites: none - Prohibitions: TAD2402, TAD2412, TAD3402, FNA2123, FNA2124 - Elective

Objectives On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to (1) critically examine questions and theories about various art forms; (2) provide reasons for deciding the truth or falsity of assertions and arguments about the nature and role of the visual arts; (3) present cogent arguments on subjectively established positions in relation to historical and contemporary issues in articulate written communication.

Synopsis This subject introduces a number of problems about the visual arts. What is art? Can anything be art? What is taste? Do statements of critical judgement perform any useful function? Does 'good' art have particular qualities? What is a theory of art, and how might a theory of art be assessed? What is the Art World, and what functions do its institutions perform? What is style? How do images represent what is seen? How is emotional content communicated? Should art be subject to censorship? If so, by whom and to what end? Can we ever know what the artist intended? The subject introduces both historical and contemporary views and includes material drawn from artists, historians, and critics as well as philosophers. The subject, which seeks to inculcate a critical approach to concepts and arguments, is particularly oriented towards students enrolled in practical art and design courses. Students taking this subject at third year level will be expected to read more widely and more critically. Students interested in a fuller treatment of this subject should consider taking TAD3402, which is a six credit points version of this subject.

Assessment Two 2000-word assignments: 50% each

Prescribed texts

Alperson P (ed.) The philosophy of the visual arts Oxford 1992

Recommended texts

Davies S Definitions of art Cornell University Press, 1991
A list of additional reading will be provided by the department

Back to the 1999 Art and Design Handbook