ARTT 1106:

Looking At Art
Looking at art is a course about looking at and interpreting works of art from
across history and different cultures, and provides students with a
fundamental ‘tool kit’ for critical study of the visual arts. The course
introduces students to the terminology and methodology of art history,
visual analysis skills, the concept of aesthetics, and interpretive frameworks
for art criticism, curatorship, and art history, and develops skills in
understanding various aspects of art spectatorship and visual perception.
The course is structured into three modules: Visual Analysis of Art/Historical
Frameworks/Art in Museums. The first module considers analysis of the art
object itself and what we understand by the term aesthetics. Module 2
examines historical constructs for looking at art, paying particular attention
to categories of the Modern, Postmodern, Contemporary and Australian. The
final stage of the course considers the museum context for looking at art,
paying particular attention to the places and spaces of display and exhibition
rationale and design. Throughout the course the techniques and materials of
art are considered along with theories regarding aesthetics and visual
perception and the contexts of reception.
Lectures and tutorials address a broad scope of art works, covering such
diversity as Classical Greek & Roman vase painting, Ancient Aboriginal rock
art, abstract painting, Renaissance oil painting, photography, cinema,
Chinese watercolours, design aesthetics and Earth Art. It is expected that
students will begin to develop, or further develop, a lifelong enjoyment of
looking at visual art in all of its diversity, along with a more acute awareness
of how the development of art throughout history embodies social and
cultural expression and maps the intellectual, emotional and psychological
complexion of humankind.
To further appreciate the experiences of looking at art, a number of tutorials
and some lectures involve visits to on-campus museums. You must be
prepared to travel to the City once during the semester for a lecture at the
Qld Art Gallery.

For Art 100- Introduction to the Visual Arts