107-437 The Artist's Body

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in art history or the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours).

This subject focuses on the history of artists' redefinitions of the body and, by extension, of the artist and the artwork. Students will be introduced to contemporary theories of the body, artistic identity, and artistic authorship through an analysis of changing uses of the artist's body. Students will encounter art from the late 1960s to the present, and trace the transition from conceptual art to earth art, body art, and performance art. The subject will engage with issues such as corporate collectives, artist families, the creation of third authors and body doubles, and the redefinition of the erotic. On completion of the subject students should have a knowledge of the theories of artistic identity and artistic production underlying visual art from conceptualism to the present, and be able to locate artistic and critical practices from the period within specific social, historical and theoretical contexts.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

A 2500 word class paper 50% (due during the semester), and a 2500 word essay 50% (due during the examination period). Hurdle requirement: students must attend at least 75% of seminars and submit both pieces of assessment in order to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available.