Over two Saturdays, study the developments in Russian art from the 1917 Revolution to the present day in this weekend art history course. Running in partnership with City Lit.
Russian art in the twentieth century saw some thrilling avantgarde practice during and immediately after the revolution, including the re-organisation of art education, the last days of Suprematism, the development of abstract art in the 1920s, then a return to figurative painting (Soviet Socialist Realism) that culminated in an ‘official art’ and a post-war Decree of Culture. From the 1950s to 70s, official and unofficial art co-existed – the latter often at great personal risk for the practitioner - and artists’ re-engagement with banned late nineteenth and twentieth century western European art movements. The advent of Glasnost and the seminal 1988 Sotheby’s auction of Russian Avant-Garde and Soviet Contemporary Art in Moscow, saw the reassessment of art We will explore groups like the Moscow conceptualists, and discuss how contemporary artists are impacted by Putin.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
• The shift from avant-garde practice to Soviet Socialist Realism
• Official versus unofficial art in Russia
• The Sotheby’s 1988 Moscow auction to now.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify key movements from the period
• Describe the characteristics of official versus unofficial art in Russia
• Discuss the impact of Glasnost and the 1988 auction and subsequent practice.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download, not printed out for you.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might also be interested in:
• VB120: - Russian Art: from Royalty to Revolution
• VB121: - Art of the Russian Revolution
• VB510: - The art of 19th century Russia