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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 271"
COURSE NAME: "Curating Museums and Galleries"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Gianni Ilaria
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30-12:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is designed to introduce students to the history of contemporary art museums and to curating practices. 
Classes will discuss the cultural position of the museum, the evolution of its function, the different forms of display, the recent historical developments of the act of collecting, the position of the visitor and the role of the curator. The primary purpose of the course is to provide students with a critical vocabulary for understanding how museums produce knowledge, and the ways in which history, geography, cultural difference, and social hierarchies are mapped through exhibition practices.

Classes will consider the museum as the result of the different relations between social, political and cultural dominant structures. Discussing the development of  contemporary art museums (Guggenheim, Moma, Tate Modern, Centre Pompidou, Macba, Maxxi ect., ect.) alongside that of the Kunsthalle model, of the fair and of the international exhibition (Venice Biennale, Documenta, Manifesta), the course intends to shed new light upon the relationship between forms of culture. Through a series of richly detailed case studies related to contemporary Rome based museum, collections and institutions, classes will investigate the differences between the roles, the missions, the objectives, and the policies of conservation and exhibition making in spaces, relating to modalities of thought.

A consistent part of the course also intends to introduce the figure of the curator and its development from conservator and classifier to creative, critical protagonist of contemporary art culture.

The course will conclude with an overview of current debates around the contemporary need for museums, and large scale exhibition (such as Biennials and Triennials) and their perceived social functions.

Some of the main ideas and concepts covered will structure a set of questions for the students to consider: Why do we need museums?  What should they look like? Why do we collect things? How can we learn to read exhibits critically? How do artists view museums as social institutions?  How can we imagine collecting practices and museums in the future? Would changes in museum practice necessitate changes  in the disciplines of art history and anthropology?


SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
During the first classes we will learn about some of the basic concepts in museums and develop a basic vocabulary on museum studies. We will face the difference between a museum understood as an institution and a gallery understood as a commercial activity. After that we will focus on the role and on the function of the curator, and on the definition of curatorial cultural practices.

In the second part of the course we will visit several of Rome’s museums and galleries, surveying the different methods of displaying contemporary cultures, analysing the diverse curatorial decisions and discussing some of the practical issues museums and galleries face.

In the third segment we will analyze the current debates on curating that have risen in the age of international biennials and blockbuster show, discussing the way in which exhibitions are conceived and the subjects they aim to address.


Visits to Museum and Collections based in Rome:

Contemporary Art Museums
- GNAM (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna)
- MACRO (Museum of Contemporary Art Rome)
- MAXXI (Museum of the XXI century)

Temporary Contemporary Exhibition Centers
- Palazzo delle Esposizioni
- Museo Carlo Bilotti

Private Art Foundations
- Nomas Foundation
- Giuliani Foundation

Private Galleries
- 1/9 Gallery
- Federica Schiavo Gallery
- The Gallery Apart
- Monitor Gallery
- Extraspazio Gallery
- Lorcan O'Neill Gallery
- t293 Gallery
- Nicola Furini Gallery
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course students should have knowledge of the history of museums, of international large scale exhibitions, current issues and trends in the field, and will be familiar with curatorial practices.  They will have a basic knowledge of the vocabulary used by museum professionals and a basic bibliography of the recent literature.  They will utilize critical thinking and writing skills as they will be required to closely examine, analyze, discuss and write about special exhibitions and museums

Students will learn how to experience contemporary art museums, how to recognize the differences within the roles and functions of museums.
Students will also become familiar with the different functions of a contemporary Kunsthalle (temporary exhibition centers), a commercial gallery, an international large scale exhibition (biennials and triennials).

Through an introdcution of the different players of the contmeporary art system, classes also aim at acquainting students with the role of the curator, the museum director, the collector, the art critic.
Students will furthermore learn about the history of curating. The course will unveil the theoretical and practical aspects of curating.
In general the course will highlight the relationships between cultural theory and art practice.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Contemporary Cultures of DisplayEmma BarkerYale University Press0300077831     
A Brief History of CuratingHans Ulrich ObristJRP Ringier 978-3905829556     
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Curating But Were Afraid to AskHans Ulrich ObristSternberg Press978-1933128252     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Thinking about ExhibitionsReesa Greenberg, Bruce W. Ferguson, Sandy Nairne (edited by), Routledge0-415-11590-6.  
Inside the White Cube: The Ideology of the Gallery SpaceBrian O'DohertyUniversity of California Press978-0520220409  
Harald Szeemann, Individual MethodologyFlorence Derieux (edited by), JRP|Ringier978-3-905829-09-9  
A Manual for the 21st Century Art InstitutionShamita Sharmacharja (edited by), Koening Books and Whitechapel Gallery978-3-86560-618-1  
Curating SubjectsPaul O’Neil (edited by), Open Editions978-9073501713  
The Curator's Egg: The Evolution of the Museum Concept from the French Revolution to the PresentKarsten SchubertOne-Off Press1873542046  
Men in Black, Handbook of Curatorial PracticeChristoph Tannert, Ute Tischler (edited by)Revolver10: 3936919038  
What Makes a Great Exhibition?Paula Marincola (edited by)University of the Arts,Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative,US978-0970834614  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and participation (participation in class discussions and gallery visits: questions asked, involvement in the visits) 15%
Mid-term exams (2 reviews focusing on the museum vists) 15%
Final show (the effort and participation in structuring the show) 30%
Interview with the artist (a complete conversation addressing the practice of one of the artists involved in the final show) 20%
Final exam in class (3 questions on curating and museum studies)  20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class attendance and participation in field trips are highly recommended.
Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy. ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision. STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Schedule *

* Alterations and/or additions to the schedule may take place. Programs will be confirmed during the course.


Tuesday January 17

Intoduction to the course

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

 Thursday January 19

Introduction to Museum studies

- Studioli /Kunstkammer / Wunderkammer / Galleries

- The Birth of the Public Democratic Museum

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday January 24

Introduction to Museum Studies

- Collection and Collecting

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday January 26

 Introduction to Museum Studies

- ICOM

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

 Tuesday January 31

 Introduction to Museum Studies

- The Changing Museum - Case Studies: The Museum of Modern Art /  The Musée D'Orsay / The Natonal Gallery, London

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

 Thursday February 2

 Introduction to Exhibition History

- Exhibitions of Contemporary Art

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

 Tuesday February 7

No Class

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

 Thursday February 9

 On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes
Visit to the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna
Meeting point: Viale Delle Belle Arti 131
Time: 11.30am


 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday February 14

 On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes
Visit to MACRO - with Curator Maria Alicata
Meeting point: Via Nizza at the corner with Via Cagliari
Time: 11.30am

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

 Thursday February 16

No class

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

 Tuesday February 21

On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes
Visit to the MAXXI
Meeting point: Via Guido Reni, 6
Time: 11.30am

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Thursday February 23 

  No class

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday February 28

Mid-term exams

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday March 1

On site class 1 hour and 15 minutes
Visit to the Fondazione Volume! - with Coordinator Silvano Manganaro
Meeting point: Via San Francesco di Sales, 86 (Trastevere)
Time: 11.30am

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday March 6

On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes
Vist to Nomas Foundation - with Directors Ilaria Gianni and Cecilia Canziani
Meeting point: Viale Somalia, 33 (Quartiere Africano)
Time: 11.30am

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday March 8

No class

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday March 13

On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes
Visit to Casa De Chirico  - with Director Barbara d’Ambrosio and Curator Luca Lo Pinto
Meeting point: Piazza di Spagna
Time: 11.30am

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday March 15

 No class

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday March 20

Spring vacation

  _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday March 22

Spring vacation

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday March 27

Introduction to the Gallery System

Commercial Galleries: Functions and Aims

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday March 29

On site class 1 hour and 15 minutes
Visit to Federica Schiavo Gallery, Frutta Gallery with Gallery Directors
Meeting Point: Piazza della Pace
Time 11.30am

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday April 3

On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes
Visit to unosunove, Galleria Nicola Furini, The Gallery Apart, with Gallery Directors
Meeting Point: JCU Guarini Campu
Time: 11.30am

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday April 5

No class

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday April 10

Introduction to Curatorial Studies

- The Birth of the Curator: Seth Sieglaub and Harlad Szeemann

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday April 12

Introduction to Curatorial Studies

- The Independent and Institutional Curator

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday April 17

Introduction to Curatorial Studies

- The Curator Artist and the Artist Curator

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday April 19

Introduction to Curatorial Studies

- Curatorial Discourses

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday April 24

Introduction to Curatorial Studies

- Curatorial Discourses

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday April 26

Recap of the program

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________





SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
Tuesday, January 17Intoduction to the coursetbc  
Thursday, January 19Introduction to Museum studies - Studioli /Kunstkammer / Wunderkammer / Galleries - The Birth of the Public Democratic Museum tbc  
Tuesday, January 24Introduction to Museum Studies - Collection and Collectingtbc  
Thursday, January 26 Introduction to Museum Studies - ICOMtbc  
Tuesday, January 31 Introduction to Museum Studies - The Changing Museum - Case Studies: The Museum of Modern Art / The Musée D'Orsay / The Natonal Gallery, London tbc  
Thursday, February 2 Introduction to Exhibition History - Exhibitions of Contemporary Arttbc  
Tuesday, February 7No class//  
Thursday, February 9No Class//  
Thursday, February 9On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes Visit to the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna Meeting point: Viale Delle Belle Arti 131 Time: 11.30am //  
Tuesday, February 14On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes Visit to MACRO - with Curator Maria Alicata Meeting point: Via Nizza at the corner with Via Cagliari Time: 11.30am//  
Thursday, February 16No class//  
Tuesday, February 21On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes Visit to the MAXXI Meeting point: Via Guido Reni, 6 Time: 11.30am//  
Thursday, February 23 No class   
Tuesday, February 28Mid-term exams   
Thursday, March 1On site class 1 hour and 15 minutes Visit to the Fondazione Volume! - with Coordinator Silvano Manganaro Meeting point: Via San Francesco di Sales, 86 (Trastevere) Time: 11.30am//  
Tuesday, March 6On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes Vist to Nomas Foundation - with Directors Ilaria Gianni and Cecilia Canziani Meeting point: Viale Somalia, 33 (Quartiere Africano) Time: 11.30am//  
Thursday, March 8No class//  
Tuesday, March 13On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes Visit to Casa De Chirico - with Director Barbara d’Ambrosio and Curator Luca Lo Pinto Meeting point: Piazza di Spagna Time: 11.30am//  
Thursday, March 15 No class//  
Tuesday, March 20Spring vacationtbc  
Thursday, March 22Spring vacationtbc  
Tuesday, March 27Introduction to the Gallery System Commercial Galleries: Functions and Aims tbc  
Thursday, March 29On site class 1 hour and 15 minutes Visit to Federica Schiavo Gallery, Frutta Gallery with Gallery Directors Meeting Point: Piazza della Pace Time 11.30am//  
Tuesday, April 3On site class 2 hours and 30 minutes Visit to unosunove, Galleria Nicola Furini, The Gallery Apart, with Gallery Directors Meeting Point: JCU Guarini Campu Time: 11.30am//  
Thursday, April 5No classtbc  
Tuesday, April 10Introduction to Curatorial Studies - The Birth of the Curator: Seth Sieglaub and Harlad Szeemanntbc  
Thursday, April 12 Introduction to Curatorial Studies - The Independent and Institutional Curatortbc  
Tuesday, April 17Introduction to Curatorial Studies - The Curator Artist and the Artist Curatortbc  
Thursday, April 19Introduction to Curatorial Studies - Curatorial Discoursestbc  
Tuesday, April 24Introduction to Curatorial Studies - Curatorial Discoursestbc  
Thursday, April 26Recap of the programtbc