Special Topics in 20th and 21st Century Art (369-0-1)

Topic

Media Archaeologies of Art and Science

Instructors

Michael Streicher Metzger

Meeting Info

Block Pick-Laudati Auditorium: Wed 1:00PM - 3:50PM

Overview of class

At key moments throughout the intertwined histories of art and science, the emergence of new technologies transformed the possibilities of perception, representation, and knowledge alike. The field of media archaeology seeks to reconstruct the social contexts, cultural impacts, and imaginary horizons of these moments by investigating obsolete media technologies like the X-ray or the hologram.

Grounded in the Block Museum's exhibition, The Heart's Knowledge: Science and Empathy in the Art of Dario Robleto, the course positions Robleto's creative practice as an entry point into the field of media archaeology. Robleto's inquiries into the histories of medical visualization, sound recording, and 19th-century visual culture will dovetail with readings and course materials that showcase various critical and artistic approaches to scientific media. Combining lectures, discussions, and student presentations, each week will examine a different set of objects and topics, such as maps, magic lantern projectors, silent films, early computer animation, planetariums, and virtual reality. Through film viewings, archival/study room visits, and guest lectures, students will enjoy the opportunity to materially engage with analog media technologies, and to interface with artists and scholars practicing diverse forms of media archaeology.

Course requirements include short written assignments, an in-class presentation, and a final paper (with option for creative component). Students will be asked to individually attend at least one exhibit, archive, or screening outside of class.

Class Materials (Required)

Readings will be circulated via PDF. Enrolled students will receive a copy of the exhibition publication for The Heart's Knowledge.