Course detail

Art, Commerce, Power

FaVU-ACP-LAcad. year: 2018/2019

The course deals with the relationship of art commerce and its relationship with power structures. How is value generated? The course will start with an excursion to 17th century Netherlands and the phenomenon of tulipmania and the consequent burst of the speculative bubble. What is the relationship between tulip bulbs and Damian Hirst's artefacts?
We will also look into trade with luxurious goods and art trade in 18th century France and England; we will compare these trade structures to those of the 19th century when art academies and a greater degree of institutionalization of art had a significant impact on artists' position at the market.
What is the relationship between the needs of the state, companies, or wealthy individuals to represent themselves through art and how does this need form the content of art?
We are also going to look at business manual for art lovers which should help them to get themselves oriented at the art market and contrast this text with the one which criticisez the establishment of values.
Towards the end of the course, we are going to look at brand identity in commercial sphere, see how this can be related to the art world(s) and finish with general texts dealing with the critique of neoliberalism.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Tests will be written in each class from the assigned text. A short final assignment (an essay or gallery report).

Prerequisites

Students must be able to use English on academic level.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations..

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students must write all 12 - 13 tests. Exam.

Course curriculum

The course syllabus is identical with the bibliography list. We will deal with one text per seminar.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Students should be more aware of deeper interconnectedness between the creation of value, social demand, social status, symbolic capital, and the distribution of power in society.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance - max. two absences per semester.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Goldgar, Anne. Tulipmania. (EN)
Abbing, Hans. Why Are Artists Poor. (EN)
Perry and Cunningham. Academies, Museums, and Canons of Art (EN)
Solkin, David. Painting for Money. The Visual Arts and the Public Sphere in 18th Century England. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme Master's

    branch AGD1 , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AGD2 , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch APD , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AS2 , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AKG , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AM1 , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AM3 , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AS1 , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AM2 , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch APE , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AEN , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AIN , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch ATD , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AVI , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch AMU , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Seminar

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer