Biennales, Triennales and Documentas (AHIS90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
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Semester 2
Overview
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This subject examines the exhibition of contemporary art in international survey exhibitions since the 1960s, delineating the methods that curators and directors have tested in response to the needs of art museums, bureaucracies, artists and publics across a range of geographic settings. The subject will examine a sequence of exhibitions from Australia and overseas, including early, national pavilion-based Venice Biennales, the director-driven 1970s Documentas, the 1980s global circuit of Biennales (including Sydney's), the newer Asian biennales (including Brisbane's Asia-Pacific triennials), the commercial art fairs (Frieze and the New York Armory Show). The subject considers these exhibitions' impact on contemporary art, as well as the roles of sponsorship, philanthropy and exhibition directors.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Discuss and explain the key issues in contemporary art curatorship and the exhibition of international art from the perspective of Biennales, Triennales and Documentas.
- Outline the history and illustrate the role of recurring art survey exhibitions in contemporary art and curatorship.
- Critically analyse and evaluate the different curatorial models of contemporary survey exhibitions.
- Conduct independent curatorial research using both academic and non-academic sources.
- Evaluate and examine the significant theoretical and curatorial debates in biennial and international survey exhibitions and be able to relate these to current exhibitions.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays
- Conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations
- Communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion
- Manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision
- Participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Last updated: 4 March 2025