AES & History Page

History of Interdisciplinary Arts 66 – 6106
A seminar focusing on the history of the interrelationships between the visual, performing and word arts, and the relationship between the arts and society as a whole. In addition to providing a broad overview of the arts and culture, student research in each class focuses on a chosen historical period and location.

21^st Century Aesthetics 66 – 6506
This course explores contemporary forms and practices involved in video art, performance art, installation art, collaborative art and the cross – disciplinary creative process. Topics center on media history, aesthetics and ethics as a foundation for creativity. Particular attention is given to the changing role of the critic and the audience in 21st century artwork. How do new modes of production and distribution affect the process of artmaking ? How does the audience–defined content affect the creative process ?

The Artist in a Climate of Change 66 – 6109
A series of lectures and seminars exploring the roles of the artist in contemporary society from the viewpoints of a variety of aesthetic approaches. The thesis paper is written in conjunction with this class.

Performance Aesthetics 66 – 6115
This studio course is for graduate students interested in creating performances inspired by four distinct performance styles : the body work of early Feminist artists, Drag Queens & Kings, the text – based theatre of Wooster Group, and Japanese street performance called Butoh.

Art as Spirit * 66 – 5305
Using an interdisciplinary approach and combining studio practices with theoretical and historical, this art history course examines the relationship between art & spirituality by examining the work of contemporary artists, filmmakers, poets, and writers, as well as texts drawn from anthropology and psychology.

Connected Images
A team–taught course given at the end of the first year in the form of a retreat at George Williams College in Williams Bay, WI. In it, students and faculty focus on an area of concern and how it may relate to their own work. Past topics have included : Art & Politics, Arts and the Environment, The Arts and Intuition, Beauty and the Beast, etc.