Course detail

Visual Anthropology and Contemporary Art

FaVU-VAMMAcad. year: 2021/2022

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

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Mgr. Jan Zálešák, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

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.

Prerequisites

General cultural knowledge and orientation in contemporary visual culture.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching is structured as a combination of lectures, workshops and presentations of invited guest lecturers who are experts in the field.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Exam in the form of the test based on the combination of opened questions with selection of right answers. During the course the students are also obliged to submit an essay on previously chosen topic.

Course curriculum

Lectures
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.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The basic aim of this course is to provide basic introduction to the anthropological theory and method with respect to the visual anthropology and native art. Native art and its representatives will be given the frame of western concepts of exoticism, orientalism, folklorism and postmodern discourse in western art. Besides the lectures there will be also workshop classes with representatives of artists and researchers presenting their own work. Student will actively participate with own papers and presentations on selected topics.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Compulsory attendance (4 absences allowed).

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

David Čeněk – Tereza Porybná. Vizuální antropologie – kultura žitá a viděná, 2010. (CS)
Nicolas Mirzoeff. Úvod do vizuální kultury. Praha: Academia 2012. (CS)

Recommended reading

Gillian Rose. Visual Methodologies : an Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Materials. London: SAGE Publications 2001. (EN)
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-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-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-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-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-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-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

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Mgr. Jan Zálešák, Ph.D.

Seminar

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Mgr. Jan Zálešák, Ph.D.