Reading group: Occult tradition of today
Occult inspiration of today.
Reading group where we will be commenting and discussing art which is based on knowledge that contradicts science but also tries to unite "the visible" and "the invisible", and partly disrupts our general view on knowledge.
Instructor: Øystein Hauge
General approach: What is science? Rene Descartes' (1596 - 1650) life and works illustrate that during the renaissance, there was no contrast between being a rational thinker and a scientist and being intreagued by phenomena like superstition and magic. He used to see the new type of systematic science as a tree; the roots are the metaphysics, the stem is the physics and the branches are all the other types of science – including alchemy and philosophy. To several influential artists – from symbolism and until today – the contrast between science and religious metaphysics and the desire to reduce it, became a dilemma. Weak theory – good art?
During these sessions, we will be looking at modernism and contemporary art in the light of renaissance tradition and ideas about magic. First example is E.H. Gombrich's analysis of Botticelli's ”Primavera” (1478), then continuing with symbolists and expressionists, e.g. Paul Gauguin, Frantisek Kupka and Munch. The last day we will be discussing occult wisdom with the first non-figurative artists (Kandinsky and Malevich). Anything similar in contemporary art?
Texts will mainly be collected from the book ”Modernitetens okkulte tradisjon” (Pax / Labyrint) by Frances A. Yates (1899-1981), supplemented with texts by other artists (Munch, Kandinsky, Johannessen) and Krauss' theory.
Texts will be distributed prior to each session. The group is open for both new and former participants.
Time: Week 10, 11 and 12, Tuesdays 13–15.
Audience: 2BA and 3BA Depts of Fine Art and Specialised Art. Students from other departments are welcome to participate. Max 12 participants.
Place: Vaskerelven
Workform:
Reading group with two main objectives: Response (to ideas that each got during the reading of the texts), and discussion. Notion of art will of course be important. Everyone is encouraged to bring references (pictorial art, literature, movies, music etc.) and ideas that enlighten the essence of the texts.
Prequalifications:
None in particular
The course starts 08/03/2011 / Week 10, and ends 22/03/2011 / Week 12
Location: Vaskerelven 8
Provider: Teori
Target group: Akademiet
Foto
Grafikk
Keramikk
Tekstil
Target year of study: Bachelor 2
Bachelor 3
Capacity: 12
Course/projectleader:
Academic staff: