Art writing and criticism

Art writing and criticism is a unit in the "practical" dimension of the study of art history. You will explore the various registers, genres and venues in which the discussion of art is carried out today - from academic journals, magazines, newspapers to online. You will both gain a theoretical perspective on these different approaches to the discussion of art and their various histories and yourself undertake a number of practical exercises in writing in these different styles and formats. You will especially be directed to thinking about what is the future of the discussion of art in the new age of the internet and the electronic media. What opportunities can they think of for yourself and others to put the art-historical knowledge you otherwise gain in your studies to practical use in the public arena?

Throughout the unit a number of practical exercises in writing about art will be undertaken, giving you a sense of the different requirements for different kinds of writing. Above all, you will form the habit of writing about art, and understand that writing about art is a "practice" just as artists have a practice. To this extent, this unit must be seen as allied to the units offered in art curation (Curating: Histories and theories, and Curating: Making exhibitions) in opening up to students studying Art History certain "practical" or "vocational" outcomes for your skills and knowledges.