Pop Art

ECTS : 6

Description du contenu de l'enseignement :

Course description and objectives
The course focuses on the emergence and development of the Pop Art movement (1950s to 1970s) in the United Kingdom and the United States, giving background on the historical and aesthetic contexts such as the dominant art movements or social changes of the times. It will explore a selection of Pop artworks that focused on the new consumer society and its media, and used them as their subject. The materials, techniques and formal styles of their creations will be analyzed. Whether the artists chose to celebrate or criticize their newfound muse will be discussed. The course will also look at the art production associated to the Pop Art movement in other countries than the United Kingdom and the United States, as recent exhibitions (The World Goes Pop at The Tate Modern, or International Pop at the Walker Art Center) have shown a less canonized approach to Pop Art. Finally, “Pop Art” understood in its larger meaning of “Pop Culture” will allow for a brief introduction to “Pop architecture” (Archigram, for instance), or cult movies drawing on pop imagery (Barbarella for instance).
 
The course aims at giving keys to understanding the emergence of the Pop Art movement and its interaction with culture and society, providing students with knowledge about artists and art history in general. The course aims at enriching students' writing and speaking skills by focusing on the expression of argumentation and value judgment in an informed and critical way. The course also aims at developing students' creative skills through a visual project at the end of the semester.  

Compétence à acquérir :

Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should have acquired in-depth knowledge about the Pop Art movement and many of its leading artists. They should be able to set its emergence in the context of other art movements or trends. Improving students' ability to describe and comment on artworks in an informed, critical way is promoted throughout the course, whether orally or in writing through class presentations and essays. A group visit to a museum and / or art gallery will enhance students' understanding of the role of these institutions.

Mode de contrôle des connaissances :

Assignments and grading

• Class mark 50%: Oral presentations, a written class test on specific artworks, and active class participation. (More details given in class on the relative share in the marking of these various activities).

• Final exam: 50%

Bibliographie, lectures recommandées :

Bibliography
Texts by art critics and interviews of artists will be given in class or through MyCourse.
 
A bibliography on Andy Warhol and on the Pop Art movement will be given through MyCourse, along with the address of the public libraries in Paris that hold the books

MyCourse
This course is on MyCourse: Yes