What is the course about?
This course explores the themes related to memory from critical and creative perspectives. Our Art & Ideas courses are ideal for anyone studying or working creatively in a related conceptual area, and are suitable for those new to creative working as well as more experienced practitioners. The course draws on ideas from art, cultural studies, philosophy, sociology, literature and will explore an inspiring range of themes - from the ways in which creative thinkers and makers have used art to explore and represent the past, to the ways in which memory, forgetting, nostalgia, archives, and traces continue to inspire creative work and thinking.
This course is designed for students or practitioners in the arts, and welcomes those engaged in any type of art, design or making, including photography, film and performance. The course supports you in building your critical and theoretical thinking, using the course themes, readings, discussions and debates to help inform and inspire your own work and development.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
Each week will explore a different theme related to time and memory in relation to art and creative practice, including:
- theories and representations of memory;
- archives and collections;
- nostalgia, ‘hauntings’ and personal memory;
- memorials and remembrance
- oblivion and forgetting.
Each session will involve a set reading (provided as part of the course fee via Google Classroom) which will be used to inform discussion, talks, and exploration during teaching sessions.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Read, understand and discuss with greater confidence a wide range of critical and theoretical ideas related to theme of time and memory
- Recognise and analyse creative practices in relation to memory and related themes;
- Draw on conceptual, critical and theoretical ideas to enhance your own creative, critical and artistic thinking.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is primarily for those studying or developing their creative practice, whether in art, design, craft, creative writing, performing arts, and those working in the creative sectors such as art teachers, curators or arts professionals. Ideally, you will have some prior experience in one of these areas, or be actively involved in producing creative work through study or independently with a desire to extend the conceptual basis of your work. We also welcome those who aren’t practising or studying art, but who have a keen interest in the subject and in creative thinking.
You will need a good handling of written and spoken English necessary to engage with set readings and for participation in paired and group discussion. Some experience in reading theoretical texts about art and culture would be beneficial, but a willingness to read and engage with theory and build your skills is essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course will be taught via Zoom, through a mixture of illustrated talks, paired and group discussion, sharing your own examples of work (if you wish), readings, videos, and visual analysis exercises. Each week you will be set a key reading to instigate discussion in class, along with a suggested reflective or creative activity.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You are encouraged to have a notebook, paper and pen to record notes from talks and discussions. You may wish to buy some of the books from the course reading list. All set readings will be available digitally, however if you intend on printing the readings you will need to consider the printing costs.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may be interested in other courses exploring art theory and ideas, including VB645 Art & Ideas: Identity & the self or VB648 Art & Ideas: What is visual language?.
Our Humanities and Culture programme area also delivers a wide range of art history, art theory and culture based courses that may also be of interest.
