Art and Social Activism

About this course:

This course explores art as social activism and social activism as art. What are the commonalities and divergences between these two forms of creative social practice? The class will take a wide historical perspective, from 19th century pioneers such as Goya and Daumier, through early modernist revolutionary movements, to postmodern identity politics and Culture Wars, to the present #MeToo and Black Lives Matter-inspired art. Media surveyed includes drawing and painting, photography and video, and installation and performance art. An optional studio component will encourage students to create and share their own social-activist art.