Certificate in Modern and Contemporary Art
Certificate in Modern and Contemporary Art
Led by art historian and curator Andrea Mattiello, this course surveys the ideas, aims, materials and techniques of modern art from 1870 to the work being made by artists today.
Participants will learn about the formal innovations in the use of materials, exploration of ideas, exhibition strategies and the influence of political and social change on artists.
The programme is divided into three terms. The first term focuses on the early decades of the twentieth century and includes the important artistic ideas of the seminal periods including Cubism, Expressionism, Constructivism and Surrealism.The second term shifts from the avant-garde of Europe to the United States when Abstract Expressionism was at its height, and explores the relationship of art to history, and the impact of Pop Art. The third term explores the artworks being made from 1980 to the present day, with an emphasis on the progression of postmodernism to contemporary art.
The course consists of morning lectures paired with afternoon visits to permanent collections and temporary exhibitions at venues such as Tate Modern, Hayward Gallery, Serpentine Gallery and many other contemporary art venues across London. The programme is curated with a flexible design to offer participants the option to undertake the full certificate programme or to enrol in individual terms.
What will you learn
- The artists and the art produced through the periods of Modern to Contemporary
- How to express thoughts and opinions about contemporary art within its historical and sociological context
- How to research and write from an art historical perspective about these major artistic periods (applies to the full certificate option only)
All students will receive a letter of completion at the end of the course. For those students who submit the essay at the end of the course will be eligible to receive a Christie's Education Certificate.
Image © Tracey Emin. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2019. Image courtesy White Cube Photograph Of An Artwork
Content
Content
Term One: 1839-1939
Starting with the advent of photographic technologies, Realism, Impressionism, and its legacy, this term looks at the early decades of the twentieth century and includes some of the important artistic movements of the period including Cubism, Expressionism, Futurism, Constructivism, and Surrealism. The course will look at the ways artists responded to these movements as well as to major historical events linked to World War I and the years leading to World War II.
Term Two: 1939-1969
This term maps the shift of the avant-garde from Europe to the United States when Abstract Expressionism was enthusiastically supported by museums and national institutions. Students will learn about European post-war art, the developments in twentieth-century sculpture and photography. Term Two also looks at the relationship of art to history and to mass media, with lectures on the achievements of Pop Art and the Conceptual Art and Minimalism, while considering major cultural discussions leading to 1969 seminal exhibitions such as When Attitudes Become Form.
Term Three: 1969 onwards
In the final Term, the class looks at artworks being made from the late sixties up until the present day. Students will learn how artists began making art requiring more active participation from the viewer and a deeper appreciation of ideas, process, and the engagement with the environment outside the institutionalised gallery space. Having explored major artistic movements of the twentieth century, students will also explore Performance Art, Postmodernism, Chinese Art after 1989, and the rise of opportunities for artists to explore new subjects, materials and display spaces.
N.B.Lectures start at 10.30 am and finish at 3.30 pm.The lunch break is 2 hours. Most days will include a morning lecture and an afternoon visit but some days will include all-day gallery sessions.
Am I Eligible?
Am I Eligible?
There are no prior qualifications needed to study this course.
Certification
Certification
Students wishing to be eligible for the Christie's Education Certificate* must complete the following:
- Students must attend all 30 sessions
- The submission of one 1,500 word exhibition review (based on one of the afternoon visits)
*The Certificate is awarded Christie's Education and is not credit bearing. For students seeking credit bearing study please refer to our master's programme in Art History and Art World Practice.
Term Dates and How to Register
Term Dates and How to Register
Full Certificate: £3,600 - Now closed, registrations are now only accepted by term
Per Term: £1,200
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Term 1
25 September - 4 December 2019 - Now closed
Half term: 23 October
Term 2
8 January - 18 March 2020 - Register Now
Half term: 12 February
Term 3
1 April - 17 June 2020 - Register Now
Half Term: 2 May
Please contact shortcoursesuk@christies.edu or telephone +(0)207 752 2025 for any queries.
Resources
Resources
Library Access
The library is open for use by the Certificate in Modern and Contemporary Art students for reference only during library opening hours (Monday – Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm and until 8.00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays during term time). Students will need to sign in at reception on arrival.
What is Included?
What is Included?
This Christie’s Continuing Education course includes tea and coffee on arrival and ticket entry to external exhibition. Please note that cabs are not provided between your morning lecture and afternoon visit. During the all-day gallery visits cabs will be organised between galleries. Please note cabs will not be provided back to Christie’s Education when the course concludes elsewhere. Students will receive an area guide to Fitzrovia, Marylebone and St James’s on arrival.
