Course detail
Visual Anthropology and Contemporary Art
FaVU-VAMMAcad. year: 2023/2024
A course is divided into two parts: lectures and workshops. The lectures will provide introduction to the anthropological theory and methodology as to one of the most influential contemporary scientific system. Special attention will be given to theory and practice of Visual Anthropology, its history and present state. Another important topic will be the native art and its context in western culture and its influences in western art. The special respect will be given to postcolonial indigenous discourse.
Language of instruction
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Guarantor
Entry knowledge
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Compulsory attendance (4 absences allowed).
Aims
This course will provide students with introduction to anthropological theory, methodology and epistemology with special respect to the anthropology of art, visual culture and native art. In their own artwork and research, students will be able to construct the frames of reference within the anthropological discourse and will be able to work with ethnographical and anthropological sources. Due to the growing importance of the anthropological theory and method across different scientific and cultural fields, this course will be instrumental for students in their own interdisciplinary projects.
Study aids
Prerequisites and corequisites
Basic literature
Nicolas Mirzoeff. Úvod do vizuální kultury. Praha: Academia 2012. (CS)
Recommended reading
Graham Murdock – Sarah Pink. Picturing Practices, Visual Anthropology and media Ethnography, 149 – 161. In: Media Anthropology, Eric W. Rothenbuhler, Mihai Coman (eds.), London: Sage 2005. (EN)
John Collier – Jr. Malcolm Collier. Visual Anthropology, Photography as a Research Method. Albuquerque: University of new Mexico Press 1986. (EN)
Josef Čapek. Umění přírodních národů, Praha 1938. (CS)
Karl G. Heider. Seeing Anthropology. Cultural Anthropology Through Film. Allyn & Bacon 2000 (2nd Edition) (EN)
Marita Sturken. Practises of Looking: an Introduction to Visual Culture. New York: Oxford University Press 2005. (EN)
Sarah Pink – László Kurti – Ana Isabel Alfonso (eds.). Working Images. Visual Research and representation in Ethnography, Routlege 2004. (EN)
Tomáš Petráň. Ecce Homo. Esej o vizuální antropologii, Univerzita Pardubice, 2011. (CS)
Classification of course in study plans
- Programme VUM Master's
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-D , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, summer semester, elective - Programme DES_M Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
- Programme VUM_M Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, elective
2 year of study, summer semester, elective
Type of course unit
Lecture
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
1. Human culture and Anthropology as an interdisciplinary scientific complex studying cultural relations (introduction into the anthropological definitions of culture; roots of discipline and history of research, subdisciplines and related fields)
2. Visual Anthropology: history of research, from auxiliary method to independent research field. Production of visual material and its interpretation within anthropological theory.
3. Native art and its context within the contemporary western art and art market.
4. „We and the Others“ dichotomy in the context of colonialism, exoticism and orientalism in European culture.
5. Exoticism and orientalism in Central European region in contrast with folklorism and its narratives. Important relevant exhibitions and institutions.
6. Contemporary discourse of native art and indigenous agenda, postcolonialism and phenomenon of Indigenous Cinema.
Workshops
Presentation of selected anthropological projects and works of relevant artists
(Otto Placht, Lukáš Rittstein, Jimmie Durham, Rebecca Bellmore, Gjert Rognli, Geir Tore Holm, James Luna). Some of the artists and researchers will personally present their work: Jarmila Mitríková, David Demjanovič, filmmaker Martin Ryšavý, anthropologist Eva Šlesingerová.