Time Schedule:
Patricia A Failing
ART H 382
Seattle Campus
Major issues in art and architectural criticism: nature of art criticism, aims of the critic, differences between art and architectural criticism. Works by major critics and artists, mostly twentieth century.
Class description
[NOTE: Official description is under revision; class does not cover architectural criticism or photography.] Survey of American visual arts criticism, emphasizing writings from 1945-2000. Among critics discussed: Roger Fry; Clement Greenberg; Harold Rosenberg; Lucy Lippard; Donald Kuspit; Arthur Danto; David Hickey; Arthur Danto
Student learning goals
Recognize and assess key forms of arguments utilized by working critics of modern and contemporary art
Evaluate the role of art critics in establishing the historical identity of major artists
General method of instruction
Lecture and informal discussion. The works of critics discussed will be illustrated with relevant works of art - you will see what the critic saw as we discuss his/her views about the meaning and value of works of art. Among issues considered: how to read art criticism; criticism and the art market; the decline of criticism as value judgment; who gets to be a critic and why.
Recommended preparation
Art History 203, Art History 381, Art History 380, or Art History 384. The class presupposes at least an Art History 203 level background in modern and contemporary art.
Class assignments and grading
Readings from class, readings packet.
Grading based on midterm, final, short paper (4 pages).
