Europe After the Rain: Post-War Art

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject, which takes its name from a Max Ernst painting of 1942 showing a ruined landscape, examines the principal artists and art movements in Europe from the occupation of France in 1940 to the early 1960s. Opposing the idea that New York Âstole the idea of modern art after WWII, in this subject the post-war decades in Europe are viewed as a period of extraordinary artistic and cultural ferment. It introduces students to the way in which artists reacted to the catastrophe of WWII and deals with several issues relevant to the analysis of art during this period, including the legacy of the historic avant-gardes, the aftermath of fascism, the Soviet exortation to make socially relevant art, the rising cultural and economic influence of the USA, and the effect of the Cold War. It explores art practices in several countries, including France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain, focusing on the work of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Lucio Fontana, Willi Baumeister, Eduardo Paolozzi and Antoni Tapies. A broad range of genres and techniques of painting and sculpture will be examined, including surrealism, concrete art, matter painting, informal painting, neo-dada, and installation art. On completion of the subject students should have an understanding of selected artists and movements in Europe between 1940  1960 and be able to apply a range of art historical approaches to the study of art in relationship to its social and political context.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• be able to conduct independent research using catalogued sources and bibliographical indexes;

• have developed their ability to think creatively and express their ideas clearly in written communication;

• have developed their skills in verbal communication and oral presentation.