Essay

1. In contemporary art since the last 1950s we see the return to more figurative and sometimes "realistic" art. How is this art distinctly contemporary? What new approaches, techniques, artistic interpretations, and medium are used and how? Cite specific artists, works, and dates.

2. In contemporary art we may witness the dematerialization of the art object. Clear-cut distinctions between the traditional areas of photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, and printmaking are sometimes no longer present. Moreover, our concept of what is art is expanded to include new approaches to traditional mediums as well as new techniques, materials, and aesthetics. Discuss the dematerialization of the art object and the expanded concept of art. Cite specific artists, works, and dates.

3. Discuss how American art reflects the society which produced it during the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. What are the themes? What are the artists' interpretations? What techniques and materials were used? Cite specific artists, works, and dates

Week Ten: Constructed, Monumental and Site Specific Sculpture

Construction and Monumental Sculpture: Mark di Suvero, Richard Hunt, Louise Nevelson, Lee Bontecou, Isamu Noguchi



Earth Art and Cite Specific Art: Christo, Robert Smithson, Martin Puryear, Maya Lin

Study Slides

Lee Bontecou - Untitled - 1960



David Smith - The Forest - 1950



Mark di Suvero - Yes! For Lady Day - 1968-69



Louise Nevelson - Sky Cathedral - 1958


Richard Hunt - Bigger Bridge - 1983



Isamu Moguchi - Pink Jizo - 1960



Martin Puryear - Sanctuary - 1982



Robert Smithson - Spiral Jetty - 1970



Christo & Jeanne Claude - Running Fence - 1972-76



Maya Lin - Vietnam War Memorial - 1982

Week Nine - Feminist Artsists/Chicago Imagists

Feminist Artists: Judy Chicago, Sylvia Sleigh, Miriam Schapiro, Betye Saar, Faith Ringgold, Eva Hess


Chicago Imagists: Karl Wirsum, Ed Paschke, Roger Brown, Ray Yishida, H.C. Westerman, Jim Nutt

Study Slides

Judy Chicago - The Dinner Party - 1974


Sylvia Sleigh - The Turkish Bath - 1973


Miriam Schapiro - Anatomy of a Kimono - 1976


Betye Saar - Liberation of Aunt Jemima - 1972


Faith Ringgold - Dinner Quilt - 1986


Ed Paschke - Adria - 1976


Karl Wirsum - Screamin J Hawkins - 1968


Roger Brown - The Entry of Christ into Chicago - 1976

Week Eight - Realism

Photorealism & Hyperrealism: Philip Pearlstein, George Segal, Duane Hanson, Audrey Flack, Richard Estes, Chuck Close, Ron Mueck

Study Slides

Philip Pearlstein - Two Nudes in the Studio - 1965

George Segal - Cinema - 1963


Richard Estes - Telephone Booth - 1977

Chuck Close - Frank - 1969


Audrey Flack - Marilyn - 1977


Duane Hanson - Young Shopper - 1973

Week Seven - Black Arts Movement & Chicano Artsists

Black Arts Movement: Elizabeth Catlett, David Hammons, William Aiken Walker, Sam Gilliam, Alma Thomas, Norman Lewis, Edward Clark, Melvin Edwards, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Romare Bearden

Chicano Artists: Luis Jimenez, Ester Hernandez

Study Slides

Norman Lewis - Harlem Turns White - 1955


Alma Thomas - Red Violet Nursery Viewed from Above - 1970


Romare Bearden - Prevalence of Ritual: Baptism - 1964


Elizabeth Catlett - Sharecropper - 1968


Esther Hernandez - Sun Mad - 1982

Luis Jimenez - American Dream - 1967-69

Week Six: Pop Art

Pop Art: Robert Rauchenberg, Jasper Johns, Larry Rivers, Marisol Escobar, Tom Wesselman, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg

Essay

1. Discuss specific techniques and materials used in American Art since 1945. How are they appropriate or inappropriate for the artistic expression involved? Support your essay by referring to specific artists, works and dates.

2. Discuss how American Art since 1945 reflects the society which produced it. Your essay may include but not be limited to: cultural norms and mores, politics, hopes, fears, fantasies, mass media, etc. Support your essay by referring to specific artists, works and dates.

3. New artistic movements developed continuously in the United States since 1945. Some, however, appear to be more influential than others. Select an art movement discussed in class which you believe is a major contributor to American Art since 1945. State why this movement is significant. Discuss the artists involved in the movement and their impact on subsequent artists. Cite specific artists, works and dates.

Study Slides

Roy Lichtenstein - Whaam! - 1963


Tom Wesselman - Still Life #30 - 1963


Andy Warhol - Big Electric Chair - 1967


Larry Rivers - Washington Crosses the Delaware - 1953


Robert Rauschenberg - Bed 1955


Marisol Escobar - Women and Dog - 1964


Jasper Johns - Field Painting - 1964


Claes Oldenburg - Floor Cake -1963

Week Five: Post Painterly, Minimal Art and Op Art

Post Painterly Abstraction, Minimalism: Helen Frankenthaler, Larry Poons, Kenneth Noland, Jules Olitsky, Frank Stella

Op Art: Richard Anuskiewicz, Bridget Riley, Victor Vasarely

Study Slides

Kenneth Noland - Trans Flux - 1963


Richard Anuskiewicz - All Things Do Live in the Three - 1963


Victor Vasarely - Vega Nor - 1969


Frank Stella - Marriage of Reason and Squalor - 1959


Jules Olitsky - Comprehensive Dream - 1965


Bridget Riley - Current - 1964


Aaron Siskin - Chicago - 1949


Larry Poons - Nixes Mate - 1964


Helen Frankenthaler - Mountains and Sea - 1952


Harry Callahan - Lake Michigan - 1950


Ad Reinhartdt - Abstract Painting - 1960