School Of Humanities And LanguagesArt of Modern LifeWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 10274.1
Discipline: FINE ARTS
Student Contribution Band: 1
Level: 2
Credit Points: 10
Unit Enrolment Restrictions
Students must complete 60 credit points at 100 level.
About this Unit
This unit studies the period 1850-1900 and examines the distinct art of the time in relation to changing notions of modernity. A major strand is analysing the complexity of realism; questioning the so-called objectivity of vision and discussing realism as a social issue, as a threat to existing values and power structures resulting in the depoliticisation of artists. Another strand is feminine visual culture, which questions women's experience of modernism in the nineteenth century; women artists are also examined in the context of sex/gender distinctions as well as notions of gendered space. The unit also includes French architecture of the period. The architecture component aims to acquaint students with a broad range of buildings and innovative construction techniques, as well as theoretical and philosophical debates and issues relating to nineteenth century architecture. Specific architectural topics include the Paris Universelle Expositions (1855, 1867, 1889, & 1900) and a comparison of their Western and colonial pavilions.