Art History 245 - Hot Art During the Cold War

This course traces the different paths of painting, sculpture, and mixed media in the United States and, to a lesser extent, Western and Eastern Europe between 1945 and 1989. It begins with both the "climax" and "crisis" of modernism in midcentury and the movements and works that the crisis spawned. In the second half of the course, it follows art's relationship with a variety of postmodern subjects and debates. Throughout, it measures the effects of geopolitical tensions on the visual arts. Readings include a wide range of primary and secondary sources, with essays by art historians, critics, and artists.

Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors