Impressionism defied tradition in many ways but did not question a premise basic to Western art since the Renaissance – that art should recognisably depict the real world. This idea began to be sabotaged in the late nineteenth century and was usurped by the end of World War I. From Dada to abstraction, this was an era of unique innovative subversion when wildly varying tendencies emerged. Difficult though it is to define 'modern art' precisely, it is justifiable to place its birth at this time; avant-garde art that, when created, was unappreciated by the public because it challenged or abandoned traditional ideas, subjects or techniques. By the time Conceptual art arrived in the 1960s and 70s, modern art had gone through a baffling array of movements and 'isms' and continues to do so. This exploration of modern art from 1900 to 1960 will take you on a rollercoaster ride through those 'isms' and the socio-cultural conditions, methodologies and practitioners that created them.
Course aim
This ten-week course provides an opportunity to explore the major and also more obscure manifestations and developments of modern art and its rebellious practitioners from the end of the nineteenth century to the present day.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- discuss a range of historical and contemporary socio-cultural issues and debates associated with modern art and its development, employing appropriate language and terminology
- historically situate the origins and identify the characteristics of modern art, its range of art movements and major practitioners through the employment of suitable art terms and language
- consider some of the theoretical debates that inform the development of modern art and its critical reception
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
What else do I need to know?
- Writing materials will be required
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
- A suggested reading list will be provided
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
