Anthropology of art
Course
In London
Description
-
Type
Course
-
Location
London
-
Start date
Different dates available
The Anthropology of Art overlaps with art history, aesthetics, material culture studies, and visual anthropology. On this course we further question how the definition of “art” is continually open to re-examination; and in our world of rapid global change, aim to understand how a cross-cultural concept of art moves beyond traditional Western and non-Western definitions of civilised and tribal art. Students will get the opportunity to explore art and sculpture from ethnographic regions reflecting domestic space and the landscape including Aboriginal art from Australia, and architectural wall and floor decoration in India and West Africa. By analysing contemporary ethnographic photographs and the role of fieldwork, an understanding of the parallels and perspectives of how anthropologists and photographers equally step inside and outside society is revealed. Students will additionally analyse the symbolism of body decoration, the meaning and value of tourist tribal art and museum objects, and the status of artists in the community, through practical role play and handling visual material. This course concludes with a museum visit.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
• Students will have gained knowledge and an understanding of the key theorists, concepts and debates relating to
• the anthropology of art.
• Evaluate key anthropology theories and develop critical analysis relating to the anthropology of art and its
• significance in human society
• Demonstrate an understanding of anthropological methods and practice in relation to our material world
• Develop an academic, personal and professional understanding of the anthropology of art through role play, class
• discussions and debate.
• Apply an ethnographic appreciation to a variety of cross cultural values and beliefs relating to anthropology of art and the visual image, through practical handling of material art objects, photographic material and a museum visit.
No compulsory costs. Please bring writing tools for class work, a pen and paper or electronic equivalent. You will also be asked to bring in an object of art you may have collected whilst travelling, bought in a market or a family item to discuss in class.
The Anthropology of Art course will comprise of talks, individual and group work, handling photographs and art objects, observing ethnographic films, seminar discussions and optional student presentations. There will also be a class visit to an art exhibition or gallery that complements the course content.
Reviews
Subjects
- Art
Course programme
• What is the Anthropology of Art?
• Anthropology of the body, tattooing, scarification, hair and skin.
• 20thc tribal art influences on Picasso and Matisse
• Anthropology of the line- Aboriginal dreamtime and land art
• Anthropology of Art and the Senses
• Anthropology of colonial and contemporary ethnographic photography
• The ritual and cultural decoration of domestic walls and floors.
• The role of museums and ethnographic collections
• Museum or exhibition visit relating to the course.
Additional information
Anthropology of art
