VSA4074

Australian postmodernism

Proposed to be offered next in 1999

Anne Marsh

10 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon completion of this subject students will have an historical understanding of the development of postmodernism; engaged with major theoretical issues in the area; developed skills in writing art criticism.

Synopsis The recurring issues of regionalism and internationalism will be addressed in architecture and painting/sculpture, as will interpretations of Australia as the site of international congruence and influence. The subject will move from discussion of the American context of The Field exhibition of 1968 to the `pluralism' of the 1970s: minimal art, performance art and feminism, and, in architecture, to a renewed monumentality and contextualism. The focus on the 1980s and 1990s will address some of the following: neo-expressionism in painting, sculpture and architecture, rationalism and neo-classical approaches in architecture, aboriginality, publication and publicity, theoretical issues and the current status of Australian art, including recent developments in abstraction, installation, gay art and `angry women'.

Assessment First seminar paper (2000 words): 25%
* Second seminar paper (2000 words): 35%
* Essay (3500 words): 40%