Writing About Art

This subject is not offered in 2014.

10hrs per week, or 120hrs over the semester

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

Since Plato, writers have often struggled to describe the visual world. What does it mean to put the world into words? Can we find a written language sufficient to describe works of Art? This subject will look at the origins, critical practices in and the current state of writing about Art. This subject will test your critical reading skills alongside creating a critical portfolio of writings. Over 12 weeks we will examine the history and practice of writing about Art (NOT ‘Art History’) and critically review the current state of Art Writing through popular print journalism, artists’ books, exhibition catalogues and monographs. Through weekly visits to museums and galleries in Melbourne, we will also respond to the most current practices in writing about both Art of the past and contemporary practices.

The 12-week unit will be organised into 3 thematic blocks: origins, forms and audience. Each week’s lecture will be preceded by a gallery visit and short task.

Assessment will come in the form of 2 portfolios of writing: a 1500-word portfolio of writings on the critical history of Art Writing and a 2500-word of portfolio writings that engage with contemporary exhibition practices in Victoria (reviews, catalogue essays, interviews).

Although a working knowledge of the history of art is an advantage, this subject is intended to appeal to all students interested in writing, whether from a background of literature, cultural studies, creative writing, journalism and art practice.

This subject has an enrolment quota and therefore places are limited. Selection is based on students firstly enrolling via the portal and then having fully registered successfully. Students enrolling but not registering cannot be accepted. You are advised to enrol early so that you can register as soon as the registration system opens. Confirmation of your successful enrolment and registration will be provided by the VCA & MCM Student Centre at least one week prior to teaching. Students who have not successfully completed both enrolment ad registration will also be advised.

This subject will:

• Introduce students to a range of historical and contemporary issues regarding ‘Art Writing’

• Familiarise students with a range of contemporary art writing

• Provide a critical overview of the language and vocabulary of Art Writing

• Contribute to debates regarding current exhibition and writings practices

• Engage with current exhibitions and local cultural work.

Critical Portfolio – made up of 3 x 500 word articles produced fortnightly related to each of the three critical themes. Submitted via LMS. Fortnightly (formative) Mid-term (summative). 40%

Creative Portfolio – a portfolio of writings totalling 2500 words, including 2 x reviews of recent or current exhibitions held in Victoria. Submitted via LMS. End of Term. 60%

To be delivered via LMS (using open-access and university subscribed depositories, JStor etc). Incidental Fees by way of admission charges may apply in some instances for some gallery/museum visits.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• A critical overview of the history and practices of writing about visual art
• A good understanding of the language applied in Art Writing and criticism
• A critical understanding of the contextual demands of contemporary writing on art
• An awareness of current curatorial conditions, critical writings on, and exhibitions of historic and contemporary art

A creative and critical portfolio of writings on historic and contemporary practices in art.