This class surveys the development of contemporary Chinese art from the late 1970s to 2010s through the lens of space. In China, contemporary art forms such as abstract painting, video, installation, and performance have long existed in the margins, outside the mainstream system. We will examine the spatial politics of production, display and consumption of this art over several decades, tracking how art in China interacts with political spaces (state run institutions and venues), the private domain (ad-hoc and independent spaces) and finally purpose-built and commercial outlets (galleries, and museums).
Studying the history and evolution of contemporary Chinese art, also referred to as `avant-garde¿ or `experimental¿ art, is to study its interactions with space, be it public or private, physical or discursive. Lectures and discussions will focus on key events such as the Stars Painting Group¿s 1979 exhibition, the ¿China/Avant-Garde¿ 1989 exhibition, and the 2000 Shanghai Biennale as well as peripheral events and select activities outside of China. Readings will include texts by Wu Hung, Peggy Wang, Rosalyn Deutsche and Miwon Kwon.
Various exercises and writing assignment during the semester, in-class presentations, one research paper.
