Introduction to the Visual Arts

4.301 Introduction to the Visual Arts

As taught in: Spring 2007

Students performing in a puppet show, the final project for this course. (Image courtesy of Prof. Joe Zane.)

Course Description

This class will introduce students to a variety of contemporary art practices and ideas. The class will begin with a brief overview of 'visual language' by looking at a variety of artworks and discussing basic concepts revolving around artistic practice. The rest of the class will focus on notions of the real/unreal as explored with various mediums and practices. The class will work in video, sculpture and in public space.

Lecture Notes

Special software is required to use some of the files in this section: .mp4, .rm.

In addition to attending regularly scheduled lectures, students were encouraged to participate in the Center for Advanced Visual Studies (CAVS) lecture series by attending four lectures. In this series, artists speak about their recent work. Video of some of their presentations are available below.

Rachel Harrison talks with Johanna Burton, March 7, 2007

Ulrike Mueller talks with Roger Conover, March 19, 2007

Let's Put On a Puppet Show, April 6, 2007

Xavier Le Roy, April 23, 2007