school of visual and material culture critical studies of...and material culture relevant to the...

OverviewAn introduction to concepts and themes, theories and histories in art and design from the eighteenth century to the present.

People have alwaysbeen active producers and consumers of images, objects, and spaces. Critical Studies offers multidisciplinary perspectives in the examination of the significance of the social, political and cultural contexts that surround their production and consumption. Lectures draw from examples of fine and visual arts, design and photography. You will develop skills of critical thinking that contribute to your studio practice.

DeliverySemester 1 & 2Core paper for students enrolled in BDes, BDes (Hons); BFA, BFA (Hons)

Also available as an elective paper.

ClassesTwo one-hour lectures and one tutorial per week

Further informationCollege of Creative ArtsMassey University, WellingtonMarcus [email protected]

237.101 Critical studies IA15 Credits

School of Visual and Material Culture Critical Studies

OverviewAn introduction to concepts and themes in visual and material culture relevant to the cultural context of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Critical Studies introduces you to how different worldviews shape the meanings attributed to images, objects and spaces. This paper focuses on ways of seeing from Maori and Pakeha perspectives. Learning how to analyse and describe the significance of social, political and cultural contexts, will inform other areas of study. Lectures draw from examples of fine and visual arts, design, photography and site specific examples including: painting, industrial design, documentary photography and film, advertising, graphics, TV, news media, visual communication, fashion, museum display, the internet and digital culture, textiles and fashion, interior and exterior spaces.

DeliverySemester 1 & 2Core paper for students enrolled in BDes, BDes (Hons); BFA, BFA (Hons)


ClassesTwo one-hour lectures and one tutorial per week


237.102 Critical studies IB15 Credits


OverviewAn exploration of selected ideas, histories and practices in the production of art and of culture.

This paper is a critical introduction to frameworks in twentieth century contemporary art and other areas of cultural practice. The content will include analytic methods as applied to art, media, site, conceptual strategies, disciplinarity and interdiscplinarity, performance, and participation, as well as other aspects of visual and material culture where applicable. Themes will be taught in blocks with emphasis placed on key case studies and critical writings by theorists and practitioners with respect to the role of practitioners, audiences and cultural products.

DeliverySemester 1Core paper for students enrolled in BFA and BFA (Hons)


ClassesOne two-hour lecture and one tutorial per week


237.252 Critical studies IIA15 Credits


OverviewFurther exploration of social, historical and theoretical contexts for the production of art and culture.

This paper is a critical introduction to the institutions of art and cultural practice. The content will include analytical methods as applied to the arts, media, site, conceptual strategies, disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, performance, participation and other aspects of visual and material culture where applicable through an engagement with institutional frameworks. Themes will be taught in blocks with emphasis on key case studies and critical writings by theorists, critics and practitioners with respect to the role of the critic, and other institutions such as the curator, the gallery, the museum and the school considered in relation to practitioners, objects, images, events and audiences.





237.253 Critical studies IIB15 Credits


OverviewFurther critical study of the historical and theoretical contexts for the production of art and culture.

This paper situates contemporary New Zealand Art Practice. We will examine key issues in contemporary art and culture from the 1900s up to the present day. Emphasis will be placed on the creation, production and consumption of objects, images, spaces and events in Aotearoa/ New Zealand with respect to local, national and international contexts. This will include analyses of practitioners, writers and curators’ contributions to New Zealand culture and their responses to the global scene particularly in terms of disciplinary and interdisciplinary practice, modernism, post modernism and other paradigms.





237.352 Critical studies IIIA15 Credits


OverviewAn advanced examination of the social, historical and theoretical context for the production of art and culture. Students learn and undertake analytical reading of specific texts.

Key concepts and critical writings concerning twentieth century and contemporary art practice are examined.This paper addresses disciplinary and interdisciplinary theory and practice through a close reading of prescribed texts from the perspective of philosophy, metaphysics and the history of ideas. Content will be taught topically and will include the exploration of themes such as difference, desire, space, time, semiotics with specific connections made to art practice and other aspects of visual and material culture where applicable. Students will participate in seminar presentations and will develop independent research projects related to the lecture topics and/or prescribed readings.





237.353 Critical studies IIIB15 Credits


school of visual and material culture critical studies of...and material culture relevant to the...

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