The course follows a structure in which lectures are alternated with seminars. Students
receive readings assignments for home study in preparation of each lecture. The respective
texts are discussed in detail in class.

Following an introductory lecture, the four consecutive lectures will be dedicated to the key
institutional sites of the art world (museum, studio, market and exhibition). Each lecture is
followed by a seminar session for which all participating students write a review (500 words)
related to the preceding course, yet on a topic of their own choice. The seminar acts as a
collective editorial session of the written reviews.

The course ends with a publication of the reviews, in a format selected by the class.
If topical, excursions to exhibitions in the Low Countries will be undertaken.

COURSE STRUCTURE:
0 : Introduction
1 : Lecture Museum
2 : Review Museum
3 : Lecture Studio
4: Review Studio
5 : Lecture Market
6 : Review Market
7 : Lecture Exhibition
8 : Review Exhibition
9 : Final presentation & Evaluation

The course Modern Art and the History and Theory of Exhibitions departs from the condition of publicness of modern art. Modernity introduces a period of radical transformations of the social and societal position of the art and the artist. Art looses its self-evident and direct relation to the traditional users of art and hence also the natural connection with a place. The liberation and autonomy of art that is the counter product of this loss however is not unconditional. Art does not become visible in and out of itself: it inevitably needs a frame within which it is made public. The primary mode of this public disclosure is the exhibition.

The course Modern Art and the History and Theory of Exhibitions departs from the condition of publicness of modern art. Modernity introduces a period of radical transformations of the social and societal position of the art and the artist. Art looses its self-evident and direct relation to the traditional users of art and hence also the natural connection with a place. The liberation and autonomy of art that is the counter product of this loss however is not unconditional. Art does not become visible in and out of itself: it inevitably needs a frame within which it is made public. The primary mode of this public disclosure is the exhibition.

The new condition of publicness introduced by modernity transforms the art world into an institutional space. Alongside the public space of the museum – the main institution within which art finds a public refuge and platform – art resides on a wide array of sites, each of which institutes a different regime of publicness, or for a that mater, of relative privateness. These sites and institutions are the outcome of historical processes and developments of artistic, societal and economic nature.

- Meeting the programme’s admission requirements.
- Having a basic knowledge of the history of modern and contemporary art.

1. Being acquainted with influential key works, authoritative artists, schools and trends in the history of modern and contemporary art.
2. Being able to interpret works of modern art in terms of form and content and to situate them in social contexts.
3. Having insight in important artistic and cultural-historic concepts and debates essential to research on modern and contemporary art.
4. Being able to autonomously read, understand and critically apply key texts by modern artists and theorists.

Individual (by digital appointment)

Continuous assessment of participation in discussion during lectures and reviewing seminars,
and evaluation of the final collection of written reviews.

As the course format entails continuous assessment, attendance during the sessions is
required.

Retake during the second examination period is possible.

Learning materials: digital
Excursions: transportation + admission: max. 25 EUR
Estimated total: max. 25 EUR

Modern art, Contemporary art, Modernism, Avant-Garde, Postmodernism, Museum, Museum
and exhibition history, Institutional theory

Op dit opleidingsonderdeel is er geen volgtijdelijkheid van toepassing.