Appreciating Western Art (Part 2)

Synopsis

It has become increasingly apparent that many highly successful business people find themselves lacking basic knowledge of the visual arts. Given that a great deal of business networking is conducted socially and informally in artistic settings. This lack of knowledge can sometimes prove to be a handicap. Moreover, increasingly, companies are using artistic setting for corporate affairs and sponsoring the arts as a form of branding exercise. It is, therefore, crucial that the business community becomes ‘art savvy'.

The course is designed as an overview of the major areas of western art from the Renaissance onwards. It introduces the artists, the styles and the settings in which art was produced, and tells the narration of how art developed in the west from the 15th century onwards. The lectures are designed to educate, inform and ‘entertain', for art tells a fascinating story. Followers of the course will learn how to look at art and appreciate what they are seeing by understanding it, and will be able to talk about art in social situations.

Learning how to appreciate art is not as difficult as it is often perceived. A few classes to get one started is the best first step.

Course Outline

1. Early 20th Century Art: This lecture examines the emergence of Primitive art through the work of some of the greatest 20th century artists. Beginning with Vincent van Gogh and Gauguin, the talk goes on to look at the lasting contributions made by artists such as Matisse, Derain and Picasso.

2. Cubism: This lecture examines Cubism, what it is, how it developed, and looks at the work of Cubusts such as Braque, Picasso, Miro and others.

3. Surrealism: Made famous by the extraordinary work of Salvador Dali, this lecture looks at the emergence of Surrealism as a reaction to the horrors of the First World War, and examines its relationship to the emergence of Freudian psychoanalysis, and the work of Ernst, de Chirico, Magritte and Dali.

4. Abstract Impressionism: Looking at the emergence of American art into the world consciousness this lecture looks at how Abstract Impressionism became America�s contribution to the progress of art history. It examines the beginnings of the movement in the work of such artists as Hans Hoffman and then goes on to explore the work of Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Robert Motherwell.

5. Pop Art: The child of the 60s youth movement, Pop Art is as popular today as it was over 40 years ago, indeed it seems to be making a gradual comeback. This lecture looks at the emergence of Pop Art in London and its international acceptance and practice. It discusses the work of some of its greatest proponents such as Hamilton, Paolozzi, Warhol, Hockney and Jaspar Johns among others.