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