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Course Description
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Art/Architecture: Urban Interventions & Art as a Language
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Barcelona, Spain

Subject Area(s) Level(s) Instruction in Credits Contact Hours Prerequisites
Art; Architecture 300 English 3 45 N/A

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

This course focuses on the idea that Art and Urban Interventions can be understood as a
language. Firstly, it is important to develop an understanding of the fundamental
elements which help us look at and observe Painting and Sculpture. This foundation
will then be used in order to further analyse the content and intentions of Spanish and
International artist’s work. The second part of this programme looks specifically at
Public works of art as Urban Interventions with reference to the cityscape of Barcelona
(world renowned for its development of urban spaces) as well as other cities within
Spain. In order to maintain the course as close to real artistic practice, there will be
scheduled visits to various museums and public spaces.

CONTENTS

Painting as a language
· Understanding the fundamental elements of 2-dimensional art ie; perspective,
colour, illumination, movement etc...

· References to The Spanish Master Painters ie; Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, Dalí
Sculpture as a language

· Understanding the fundamental elements of 3-dimensional art ie; materials,
methods, relief, sculpture in its setting etc...

· References to Spanish and International artists creating traditional and
contemporary sculpture ie; Juan Muñoz, Joan Brossa, Eduardo Chillida,
Rebecca Horn, Richard Serra etc.

Public Sculpture as Urban Intervention
· Analysis of International Contemporary Sculpture in Barcelona from 1980 to
present.

· Looking at Architecture as Art.

· Architecture that creates new landmarks in a forever changing landscape.
(Barcelona)

Graffiti as urban art
· Artistic responses to an urban setting and society

GRADING

Mid-term exam (20%):
A mid-term exam will consist of the information that has been explored to date. The
exam will consist of multiple choice questions as well as questions related to visual
identifications of the fundamental elements in painting and sculpture.

Papers (25%):
There are 2 compulsory research papers related to visits to exhibitions.
1. Our first guided visit is to the MNAC - Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. A task
will be given that is to be developed during the visit. Students will be given the
opportunity to put into practice and show their development and understanding of the
fundamental elements of art that have been discussed in class. (min. extension 3pgs -
max. extension 5pgs).
2. Our second visit to an exhibition will be scheduled in Barcelona during the course.
Students are to select one of the artworks that interest them, and analyse it following the
"Analysis of Artwork" task sheet that will be given to them in class. (min. extension
3pgs - max. extension 5pgs).

Presentation in class (25%):
There are 2 compulsory presentations related to public spaces.
1. Students will give a presentation on a Public Sculpture in Barcelona explaining its
reference to the city. They are also to research and explain the general ideas and
concepts of the artist’s work to date.
2. Students will give a presentation on a Public Sculpture in a city of their choice
explaining its reference to the city. They are also to research and explain the general
ideas and concepts of the artist’s work to date.

Final Exam/Paper (30%):
A research paper is due in on the last day of the course. Students will be able to choose
among a range of topics related to the material explored throughout the course.
Students will have a month to write the paper. (min extension 10 pgs - max. extension
14 pgs; excluding support images, index, bibliography, etc.).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PIPES; Alan
Foundations of Art & Design, Laurence King Publishing Ltd, London 2003

MOURE, Gloria
Urban Configurations, Ediciones Poligrafia SA-Barcelona, 1994

MILES, Malcolm
Art, Space and the City: Public Art and Urban Futures, Routledge, UK. 1997










 
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