AHT3602 - Art criticism and curatorship - 2019

This unit explores the related practices of art criticism and curatorship and their role in communicating art to its publics. It offers a brief history of criticism/curatorship and critical/curatorial approaches, an assessment of reviews, including those of local exhibitions in Melbourne, and considerations of the theoretical underpinnings of critical reception. Students are invited to explore how they might themselves participate in the production of visual critique in the form of exhibition reviews, catalogue essays, curatorial statements, artist statements and so forth.

Upon successful completion of this subject students will:

1. Have a critical perspective of the selection of the voice, motives and bias of art critics and criticism;
2. Appreciate criticism as a genre of writing, with the unique cultural and practical contingencies acting upon it, and understand the variety of art writing which it comprises;
3. Understand the role of the curator as having a creative, political and active part in the production, mediation and dissemination of contemporary art;
4. Identify and understand the developments specific to the rise of curator as an important cultural commentator, and the contemporary challenges faced by art criticism;
5. Have developed their ability to think creatively and express their ideas clearly in written communication.

Assignment 1500 words (40%)

Research essay 2500 words (60%)

12 hours per week including 3 contact hours and 9 hours independent study or equivalent.

See also Unit timetable information