• Semester 1 (Day)

Synopsis

There  has  been  a  tendency among today's  theorists  to  move  beyond
structuralist and formalist approaches to adopt a broader view within  a
social, cultural and anthropological setting.  Such a perspective guides
much  of  the  critical  thinking which informs  the  cultural  theories
shaping  contemporary  visual arts practice.  This  unit  addresses  the
philosophy  traditions  which impact on the visual  arts.   Contemporary
American  and  European perspectives provide the base from which  issues
are  addressed.  Helenistic theories of art provide a foundation through
the   theories  of  the  Pythagorean  School  and  the  Eleatic  School.
Following  from  this, selected writings by theorists  such  as  Adorno,
Benjamin, Danto, Goodman, Gombrich, Foucault, Boudrillard, Bourdieu  and
Derrida will inform the content of the course.