Course: Critical Theory and Praxis

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Course title Critical Theory and Praxis
Course code KUM/KTP
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements Course does not contain work placement
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Vlachynská Petra, MgA. Ph.D.
Course content
TOPICS 1. Place 2. Critical theory and critical spatial practice 3. Institutional criticism 4. Site-specific art 5. Intervention, activism and engaged art 6. Environmental tendencies in art and philosophy 7. Current issues (changing every year)

Learning activities and teaching methods
Seminár
  • Class attendance - 28 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 32 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course focuses on topics and texts from the field of art, philosophy, architecture and urbanism, which embrace the issue of art in public space in the context of critical theory and current issues. Each student prepares an analysis and interpretation of the selected text during the semester. The purpose of the courses is to understand and critically interpret the main ideas and works of the selected author in the context of their thinking, epoque and current issues. Emphasis is placed on independent work with the text and discussion. The main topics are presented in lectures acquainting with the main notions and issues of theoretical thinking of the 20th and 21st centuries, supplemented by the context of artistic operation.
Basic knowledge of art history from the nineteenth century to the present. Familiarity with the main texts of art theory in the 20th century.
Prerequisites
Open thinking Working with text Text interpretation

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam

1. Understanding, interpretation of the text and participation in a joint discussion, which the student accompanies the power point or pdf presentation. 2. Text part in the range of 4 to 8 standard pages, which is a summary or development of research, interpretation of the text and joint discussion.
Recommended literature
  • Alexander Alberro - Blake Stimson. Institutional Critique: An Anthology of Artists' Writings.
  • Cartiere, C., Zebracki, M. The Everyday Practice of Public Art. New York Routledge, 2016.
  • Gerald Raunig - Gene Ray. Art and Contemporary Critical Practice: Reinventing Institutional Critique.
  • Hirsch, N., Miessen, M.:. Critical Spatial Practice #01 - What Is Critical Spatial Practice?. (Berlin: Sternberg Press, 2012.
  • Holub, B. Planning Unplanned. Vídeň VfmK, 2015.
  • K. Michael Hays. Critical Architecture.
  • Krauss, E. The Originality of the Avantgard and Other Modernist Myths. Cambridge The MIT Press, 1986.
  • Lacy, S. Mapping the Terrrain: New Genneč Public Art. Washington Bay Press, 1995.
  • Miles, M. Art, Space and the city. Routledge Oxon, 1997.
  • Mitášová, M.:. Oxymorón a pleonasmus.
  • Papapetros, S., Rose, J. Retracing the Expanded Filed. Cambridge The MIT Press, 2014.
  • Raven, A. Art in the Public Interest. Cambridge, Da Capop Presss, 1993.
  • Rendel, A. Art and Architecture A Place Between. London I.B.Tauris and Co. Ltd., 2006.
  • Zálešák, J. Umění spolupráce. Praha - Brno, VVP AVU a MU, 2011.
  • Zebracki, M. Public Artopia. Amsterodam, Pallas Publications, 2012.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Architecture Study plan (Version): Environmental Design (20) Category: Art and applied art 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter