Feminism in Art

In this lecture course, students will study the developing presence of female artists in visual art and contemporary culture.  The course follows two divergent streams of thought. The first investigates the relationship of women in the history of Contemporary Art and their contribution to both conceptual and linguistic innovation. Secondly, beginning with the 1960s, students will learn about feminism as the most radical cultural transformation of the contemporary era.  They will explore the ongoing revolution by looking closely at the ways, tools, and actions by which women made their presence felt in the realm of art and society during last 50 years.
Short monographic seminars will be dedicated to some of the major protagonists of the era.  Students will be asked to attend exhibitions and theater shows in Florence and to read selected literature from the period.  Brainstorming and debates will aim to give students the means to create personal opinions about the lessons’ topics as a means to fully understand the period in question.