Introduction to contemporary art: ideas and origins
Ever wondered what's going on in the mind of contemporary artists? This course explores the ideas and historical background behind some of today’s most intriguing works, from Conceptualism and Video to Body Art and Installation.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Contemporary Art sometimes seems a little disorientating; this course aims to provide some background, helping you form a clearer picture of the key historical ideas and practices behind some of today’s most interesting and controversial artworks.
Giving coherent shape to Contemporary Art’s often baffling variety, we’ll examine important practices and demystify some of its more confusing jargon. Putting its development into historical context, this course will enable you to describe and interpret what you see in galleries in an increasingly constructive and engaged fashion.
What will we cover?
The history and development of key concepts within Contemporary Art, including: - Conceptualism - Appropriation - Performance and Body Art - Site-Specificity and Installation - Video Art - Just what is Contemporary Art? - introducing some theoretical approaches.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- List a number of important 20th Century art movements that have significantly influenced Contemporary Art - Question what makes Contemporary Art distinct from what came before it - Analyse key works and participate in discussions about them - Identify and describe some of the important characteristics and pieces of terminology associated with Contemporary Art.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom and uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please click here.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.
Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to buy a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.
Christopher Collier trained as an artist, before gaining an MA in Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths and a PhD in Art History and Theory from the University of Essex. He has taught at institutions including the University of Essex, Cambridge School of Art, and Winchester School of Art, as well as presenting internationally at a range of workshops and conferences, including at the ICA, London and CCA, Glasgow. His broad range of interests includes the intersections of art and the more-than-human world, along with art's relations to wider political economy and cultural theory. He is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/introduction-to-contemporary-art-ideas-and-origins1440121Introduction to contemporary art: ideas and originshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/introduction-to-contemporary-art-ideas-and-origins-1080.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art/Courses/Online courses228511361177189517311228511771136Ever wondered what's going on in the mind of contemporary artists? This course explores the ideas and historical background behind some of today’s most intriguing works, from Conceptualism and Video to Body Art and Installation.003036487Introduction to contemporary art: ideas and origins159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/introduction-to-contemporary-art-ideas-and-origins-1080_2.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-10-26T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB849159159Introduction to contemporary art: ideas and origins159103159Christopher Collierintroduction-to-contemporary-art-ideas-and-origins/vb849-2627Ever wondered what's going on in the mind of contemporary artists? This course explores the ideas and historical background behind some of today’s most intriguing works, from Conceptualism and Video to Body Art and Installation.0000-Available|2026-10-26 00:00:00Contemporary Art sometimes seems a little disorientating; this course aims to provide some background, helping you form a clearer picture of the key historical ideas and practices behind some of today’s most interesting and controversial artworks.<br> <br>Giving coherent shape to Contemporary Art’s often baffling variety, we’ll examine important practices and demystify some of its more confusing jargon. Putting its development into historical context, this course will enable you to describe and interpret what you see in galleries in an increasingly constructive and engaged fashion.Ever wondered what's going on in the mind of contemporary artists? This course explores the ideas and historical background behind some of today’s most intriguing works, from Conceptualism and Video to Body Art and Installation.The history and development of key concepts within Contemporary Art, including:<br>- Conceptualism<br>- Appropriation<br>- Performance and Body Art<br>- Site-Specificity and Installation<br>- Video Art<br>- Just what is Contemporary Art? - introducing some theoretical approaches.- List a number of important 20th Century art movements that have significantly influenced Contemporary Art<br>- Question what makes Contemporary Art distinct from what came before it<br>- Analyse key works and participate in discussions about them<br>- Identify and describe some of the important characteristics and pieces of terminology associated with Contemporary Art.<p>This course is suitable for all levels.<br></p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom and uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p>You might wish to buy a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.<p>Contemporary art in London</p><p>20 contemporary artists you should know</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual159159103VB849NONEMon26/10/26 - 23/11/2618:30 - 20:3018:3020:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineChristopher CollierBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-26T00:00:00+00:00EveningOct 2026Culture, history & humanities159159Introduction to contemporary art: ideas and originsintroduction-to-contemporary-art-ideas-and-origins/vb849-2627Ever wondered what's going on in the mind of contemporary artists? This course explores the ideas and historical background behind some of today’s most intriguing works, from Conceptualism and Video to Body Art and Installation.0000-Available|2026-10-26 00:00:00Contemporary Art sometimes seems a little disorientating; this course aims to provide some background, helping you form a clearer picture of the key historical ideas and practices behind some of today’s most interesting and controversial artworks.<br> <br>Giving coherent shape to Contemporary Art’s often baffling variety, we’ll examine important practices and demystify some of its more confusing jargon. Putting its development into historical context, this course will enable you to describe and interpret what you see in galleries in an increasingly constructive and engaged fashion.Ever wondered what's going on in the mind of contemporary artists? This course explores the ideas and historical background behind some of today’s most intriguing works, from Conceptualism and Video to Body Art and Installation.The history and development of key concepts within Contemporary Art, including:<br>- Conceptualism<br>- Appropriation<br>- Performance and Body Art<br>- Site-Specificity and Installation<br>- Video Art<br>- Just what is Contemporary Art? - introducing some theoretical approaches.- List a number of important 20th Century art movements that have significantly influenced Contemporary Art<br>- Question what makes Contemporary Art distinct from what came before it<br>- Analyse key works and participate in discussions about them<br>- Identify and describe some of the important characteristics and pieces of terminology associated with Contemporary Art.<p>This course is suitable for all levels.<br></p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom and uses a Google Classroom to share materials. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p>You might wish to buy a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.<p>Contemporary art in London</p><p>20 contemporary artists you should know</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artconfigurable
18951136Modern & contemporary arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/modern-contemporary-art1/2/285/1177/1136/18951/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art
