Making Art in the 21st Century

What is it to be an artist in the 21st century? How can seeing and making art help us understand our own time and place? In this course, we will examine some of the many permutations of visual artistic practice in our era, trace the art-historical roots of these contemporary forms, and analyze art’s relationship to political, social, and technological developments across the globe. We will focus on the role of context of works of art, comparing works from different cultures and asking how art is shaped by, and responds to, social and historical forces. Students will explore these topics through writing and by creating their own artworks in response to studio- based assignments, employing both traditional and digital art media. No prior art-making experience is required.