Introduction to Indigenous Art and Visual Culture (VISA321)
Semester 1 / 2012

Texts

y separately published work icon Australian Dreaming : 40,000 Years of Aboriginal History Jennifer Isaacs , Sydney : Lansdowne , 1980 Z1578549 1980 collected work (taught in 2 units)

'Beautifully illustrated, Australian Dreaming is an Aboriginal history of the Australian continent and its people, as told by Aboriginal story-tellers. Through traditional myths and legends, it gives an explanation of the formation of the landscape and the creation of many outstanding geographical features.' (Source: TROVE)

y separately published work icon Blacklines : Contemporary Critical Writing by Indigenous Australians Michèle Grossman (editor), Carlton : Melbourne University Press , 2003 Z1072525 2003 anthology criticism essay (taught in 11 units)

Description

This subject surveys the concept of visual culture as a way of understanding contemporary art, with a particular focus on Indigenous arts in Australia. The importance of underlying traditions is investigated in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal arts as well as the social conditions of production, presentation and collection. Both textual and visual research strategies are emphasised in presentation and writing.

Subject Objectives:

On successful completion of this subject students will be able to: Present coherent discussions and images of Australian Indigenous Art in tutorials and seminars Comprehend main directions of current art practices and theory Understand key words used in contextualising and describing artworks.

Assessment

Research Proposal 20%; Tutorial Essay 20%; Tutorial Presentation 10%; Major Essay 50%

Other Details

Link to the Library's list of texts for this unit (electronic resources): http://iii.library.uow.edu.au/search/a?searchtype=r&searcharg=VISA321&SORT=AX

Offered in: 2009
Current Campus: Wollongong
Levels: Undergraduate
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