The course will take the form of an open workshop, offering on-site visits, lectures, and open conversations between the students and various specialists in the field. It will cover all aspects of the contemporary art system, from its production to its presentation. Regular visits to the studios of Italian and international artists - together with a series of artist talks - will shed light on various aspects of creative production; from theory and research development to production, funding, and presentation.

Visits to the numerous institutions that exhibit and promote contemporary art will offer a broad view of the current infrastructure in place in Rome. Lectures and open conversations will supplement the visits, helping identify and define the role and responsibilities of the different types of existing institutions. The course will further investigate the role of the different figures in the art world; artists, museum directors and staff, head of foreign academies, curators, publishers, and collectors.

The aim of the course is to provide each student with the necessary tools to investigate various lines of contemporary and historical theory, for practical application to the production, curation and presentation of work. This approach, using the unique context of Rome as case study, will help students develop a rich conceptually-driven, critical and material vocabulary in contemporary art.

Site visits and lectures are supplemented by readings from art magazines, exhibition catalogues, anthologies and on-line journals.

Required course materials/study visits and expected expenditure for the students:

Site visits are part of the course. There might be occasions in which students will need to take care of their entrance tickets to museums.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Through studio visits, lectures and discussions with dealers, collectors, curators, critics, museum directors and international academies, students will:

·       learn how to discuss and write about contemporary art.

·       be able to identify the different aspects of the art system, and how it relates to the broader histories of art.

·       be able to identify and articulate connections between cultural theory and art practice, focusing on different aspects of the current cultural discourse which are relevant to their own personal lines of research.

·       be able to produce professional, practical proposals for exhibitions, projects and more.

Attendance is required.

Learners are expected to attend every class period.  If they are ill or have obtained an excused absence (in accordance with JCUs official attendance policies), learners are required to notify the instructor in a prompt and timely manner.  Furthermore, if learners must miss a class, they are responsible for acquiring the missed information and completing assignments before the next class.  Medical excuses without documentation from a physician are invalid.  Unexcused absences will affect your participation grade: 

2 unexcused absences = forfeit of one letter grade*.  

3 unexcused absences = forfeit of additional letter grade. 

4 unexcused absences = forfeit of additional letter grade and mandatory student meeting with instructor and department chair. 

5 unexcused absences = Five unexcused absences (one third of the course experience) will prevent you from passing the course.  

Please note that the syllabus and the schedule are subject to unforeseen changes.

1.     Thursday 4 September

Introduction to the Course

The lecture will offer an initial introduction to the city of Rome, its cultural history, its artists, and the numerous spaces dedicated to contemporary art.

The class will meet in the assigned classroom

2.     Thursday 11 September

Visit: La Galleria Nazionale - http://lagallerianazionale.com/

Conversation: Italian 20th century art and its legacy

During the visit to La Galleria Nazionale, students will engage in an open conversation with about the numerous Italian artists from the 20th century present in the museum’s collection, and the importance of institutions in the conservation and presentation of art.

3.     Thursday 18 September

Visit: MAXXI Museum of XXI Century Art - www.fondazionemaxxi.it

Conversation: The Museum of Contemporary Art: Temple or Forum?

During the Visit, students will explore the dual role of the contemporary museum, as a “temple” (collection, archive, conservation) and as a “forum” (display, education programmes, and regular events)

4.     Thursday 25 September

Lecture: Introduction to Exhibitions, Press Releases and Reviews

5.     Friday 26 September (Makeup day for Thursday 27 November)

Gallery Visits I

6.     Thursday 2 October

Gallery Visits II

7.     Thursday 9 October

Deadline for Midterm Project: Meeting and peer review

8.     Thursday 16 October

Visit: Fondazione Giuliani - www.fondazionegiuliani.org

Lecture: The Role of Art Foundations in the world of Contemporary Art  

The lecture, given on site together with Adrienne Drake (Curator of the Fondazione Giuliani) will cover the numerous roles a foundation fulfills as a central hub for culture and exchange; the running of a program of exhibitions, workshops and lectures; developing an audience and a culture of support; communication and promotion of events; financial support, funding strategies, and collaboration with other institutions.

9.     Thursday 23 October

Visit: The British School at Rome - http://www.bsr.ac.uk/

Lecture: The Role of International Academies in Rome

The lecture, given on site, will begin by studying the history of the international academies in Rome, and how they have developed throughout the past century. These institutions have become vital centers of research and development for artists and architects at various stages in their careers. Students will meet the artists and architects in residence, visit their studios to learn more about their practices, to learn more about how working in Rome has influenced their practice.

10.  Thursday 30 October

Lecture: Introduction to Final Project: Propose an Exhibition in Rome.

Submission Deadline: Thursday 4 December

11.  Thursday 6 November

Gallery & Site Visits

12.  Thursday 13 November

Gallery & Site Visits II

13.  Thursday 20 November

Peer Review and Feedback of Final Project

Submission Deadline: Thursday 4 December

THURSDAY 27 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

14.  Thursday 4 December

Final Peer Review of projects