KUN4552 – Curating the Contemporary
Course content
The aim of this course is to analyze and discuss curatorial strategies of the 20th and 21st century with regards to art, design and architecture.
In modernity a new task for museums presented itself: It was no longer to show solely historical artifacts as things of the past, but also to exhibit contemporary artifacts as exemplary symptoms of their own present.
The course focuses on significant critical strategies of exhibition making in the service of the contemporary. It thereby outlines a history of alternative models for museums. It reviews different theories of how the act of receiving might be articulated and transformed, as well as how the practice of collecting and storing artifacts can be structured. The students will work on possible exhibition projects against this historical and theoretical background.
Learning outcome
After completion of the course, you will:
- have a substantial understanding of different concepts of critical exhibition making throughout the 20th and 21st century.?
- You will have learnt to apply this knowledge to your own thinking of exhibition making.
- be able to analyze exhibitions as modes of address, as strategies of display, narration, and subject formation.?
- Instead of viewing exhibition as transparent media in the service of showcasing art, design, and architecture, you will be able to critically evaluate them as particular means to convey ideologies with regards to their own respective present.
- have learned how theories of museums, of viewership and of display are crucial with regards to any self-reflexive exhibition making.?
- be able to communicate both orally and in writing academic English.?
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
You must have the right to study on the master's program in Art History and Visual Studies?to take this course.
Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Teaching
The course is taught in weekly 3-hour sessions (9 x 3 x 45 min).
Part of the teaching may take place at museums.
The teaching is a combination of lectures and seminars. We expect you to meet prepared for classes and to actively participate in discussions and to give a presentation on assigned topics/texts.
In order to qualify to the final exam, you must complete these compulsory assignments:
- Compulsory attendance at class. You have to attend class, at least 7 out of 9 classes.
- Oral presentation
Examination
The examination is a semester assignment.
The thesis must consist of 10 pages (each page à 2300 characters without spaces, not including illustrations, notes and reference).
The assignment will be handed in using Inspera. You must familiarize yourself with the login and submission procedures in timely manner before the exam. Read more about Inspera below.
When writing a semester thesis, you are entitled to individual guidance by you teacher. To be eligible for this guidance you must submit a draft of your paper that meets certain requirements. More detailed information about guidance and how to submit your draft will be given by the teacher during class or in Canvas.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.