Contemporary Art 1945-Present

This course focuses on the major artistic developments in the United States and Europe from the end of World War II to the present. Tracing the shift away from traditional painting and sculpture to new mediums including performance, video, installation and photography, this course examines these art practices in the context of historical events and cultural phenomena including the Cold War and Vietnam Wars, the expansion of mass media and consumerism, the emergence of social liberation movements (including Civil Rights, Feminist, and Chicano), and the globalization of the world economies and art networks. Transfer: CSU; UC