| Unit name | Art in Russia and the Soviet Union (Lecture Response Unit) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HART30025 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Mike O'Mahony |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of History of Art (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The unit explores developments in the theory and practice of art during a crucial period in Russian and Soviet history. Commencing with an analysis of the historical conditions and cultural debates in early 20th century Russia, the unit considers the following themes: the emergence of an early Russian avant-garde; the impact of the First World War and the 1917 revolutions; the new role for artists in the immediate post-revolutionary era; the ideological and cultural debates of the 1920s; the re-emergence of figurative styles in the 1920s and 1930s; the formation and development of a Socialist Realist aesthetic; and the role of the artist during the conflict known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War.
On successful completion of this unit students will have (1) developed a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of the development the main artistic currents in Russia and the Soviet Union; (2) in-depth understanding of its historical, artistic and cultural contexts; 3) demonstrated the ability to analyse and evaluate aesthetic issues pertinent to the study of Russian and Soviet art; (4) demonstrated the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent evidence/data in order to illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument. Additionally, as part of a level H/6 unit, students will be expected to (5) display high level skills in evaluating, analysing, synthesising and (where apt) critiquing images and ideas.
1 x 2-hour seminar per week.
One summative essay of 3000 words (50%) and one examination of two hours (50%). Both elements will assess (1) knowledge and critical understanding of the development of the main artistic currents in Russia and the USSR; of (2) and (3) its historical, artistic, aesthetic and cultural contexts. The coursework essay in particular will offer students the opportunity to demonstrate ILOs (4) and (5).
• Cullerne Bown, Matthew, Socialist Realist Painting, New Haven 1998. • Cullerne Bown, Matthew, and Brandon Taylor, Art of the Soviets: Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in a One-Party State, 1917-1992, Manchester 1993. • The Great Utopia: the Russian and Soviet Avant-Garde 1915-32 (exh. cat.), Guggenheim Museum, New York 1992. • Günther, Hans (Ed.), The Culture of the Stalin Period, London 1990. • Lodder, Christina, Russian Constructivism, New Haven and London 1983.
