AH3136 Contemporary Chinese Art, 1970s to Now

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr Y L Huang

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Michelle Huang

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module explores the emergence and development of contemporary Chinese art following the end of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). It examines the creation and reception of Chinese avant-garde art in a global context, while pondering the relationships between art, identity, politics, commercialism and new technologies. It also investigates issues of collecting, censorship, activism, gender, class and ‘Chineseness’ in contemporary Chinese art. Visual and contextual analysis covers diverse approaches, motifs and materials adopted by artists in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and by the Chinese diaspora, to create paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, ceramics, photography, installation, performance and other kinds of new media. Thematic topics examine the ways in which artists transcend their understanding of tradition and modernity, express their perspectives in contemporaneity and hybrid cultures, and negotiate with body, space and power in contested sites.

Assessment pattern

Coursework - 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework - 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2h lecture (x11 weeks), 1h seminar (x11 weeks)

Intended learning outcomes

  • Describe examples of influential contemporary Chinese artists and their works
  • Identify key artists, art groups and events in different regions and periods
  • Recognise leading figures, such as collectors, curators, scholars and art critics, and examine their contributions in shaping, curating and promoting contemporary Chinese art
  • Analyse the functions of contemporary art and their aesthetic, cultural and socio-political values
  • Evaluate the impact of social, cultural, economic and political environments on the development of contemporary Chinese art
  • Reflect upon issues of globalisation, power, identity, class, gender, censorship, commercialisation, experimentalism and activism in their analyses of a variety of objects, images, events, documents and publications.