Art and Design (Critical Studies)

Course summary

The emphasis is on learning about and writing about art, building a confidence to find your own voice when talking about visual imagery, with a focus on curation, the art market, galleries and museums. The course helps students to gain confidence looking and talking about art and considering: What is art? What is ’good’ art and who decides? Whose voice is missing from the world of art? What does art say about a culture and about the past? Considering the curation of exhibitions is central to the course and developing projects that allow students to design their own fictional shows pursuing their own interests. Students use research to understand selected artworks and to build a rationale for their exhibitions, considering innovative ways to engage audiences. A creative mind is a vital quality, with an enthusiasm for exploring the world of art and considering our connection to it.