This course offers an introduction to the emergence of European Modern Art (1800-1950) in the global context.  We will look at the formation of Europe and European Art as cultural entities framed and shaped by political and economic struggle, emerging nationalism, colonialism and global expansion.

In distinct chapters, we will examine the transformation of art in the course of Modernism: exhibitions and art journals proliferate as new art publics emerge; visuality is being transformed by the experience of modern urban space; non-Western art is appropriated in Orientalism and Primitivism; new media such as photography and film are being introduced; collaborative, performative and spatial art practices emerge. We will specifically look at feminist art histories, at intermedial approaches, at interconnections of art and design including the notion of the "Gesamtkunstwerk", and the modernist concept of art as an experiment for social change.

Framed by the histories, theories, and discourses of modernism and modernity, this lecture examines the main practices, concepts, themes and debates that structure their study. While it is organized as an introductory survey and broadly follows Western periodizations of modern artistic practices of the 19th and early 20th centuries, it also challenges concepts such as "European art", as well as stylistic classifications and the primacy of specific artistic genres and media. Using case studies, we will examine artistic practices in relation to their historical, socio-political, and institutional contexts and analyze the relation between social and aesthetic forms.

Written exam, to be completed optionally in English and German. Exam dates are offered at the end of January, in March and April 2022. After that, no more exam dates will be offered, as the lecture changes every year.

3 Exam date: April 25, 10:30–12:00, Hörsaal 1 (Ferstel-Trakt). Please register for the exam until April 22nd via email at katharina.jesberger@uni-ak.ac.at, including your full name and student registration number.

This course is taught in German. All Zyklus-lectures are held alternately in German and English, with the English lecture "Global Modern Art / Zyklus III" following in Fall/Winter 2022/23 (see https://www.angewandtekunstgeschichte.net/news/2019/umstellung-der-zyklus-vorlesungen).

Regular attendance is advised. 

ZOOM-Link for all sessions from November 22 to 6 December 6 and in January:

https://dieangewandte-at.zoom.us/j/69151151251?pwd=N0lTQjRNYlhVMysweDhIdEdlUGJlUT09

Meeting-ID: 691 5115 1251
Kenncode: HAS BEEN SENT OUT VIA EMAIL

The lecture will be accompanied by a tutorial course led by Sarah Maier (sarah-maria.maier@student.uni-ak.ac.at), offering support for any issues or question you might have regarding the lecture or on how to prepare for the exam. Sarah will also organize sessions to discuss specific topics, artworks and/or texts.

All important literature has been made accessible in the library in a special "Handapparat" (reference collection) or online on OwnCloud. There you can also find a list of recommended literature on various subjects covered in the course.

The image scripts shown in the lecture will be uploaded weekly in the OwnCloud folder together with useful texts for each chapter. As you register for the lecture in Base Angewandte, access to the OwnCloud folder will be activated automatically.

All images can be viewed with additional information and downloaded on the image database IMAGE (access within Base Angewandte, see tab above).