Course 2026-2027 a.y.

The course explores the various trajectories of ecological thought through the analysis of artworks and artistic practices from the late 1960s to present times. Rather than approaching ecology primarily as a theoretical framework, the course begins with artists and visual culture to trace the emergence of different ideas and conceptions of nature as well as ecological sensibilities and paradigms. Topics covered include a critical examination of the concept of nature, landscape, environmentalism, the climate crisis, posthuman and multispecies perspectives, and the relationship between humans, technology, and the living world. Particular attention is given to the ways in which contemporary artists have redefined the representation of nature and ecological interdependence. Through case studies spanning various periods in recent art and geographical areas, students will develop critical tools for interpreting the ecological dimensions of contemporary art.

•              Understand the complexity of ecological thought through the analysis of artistic practices and visual culture.

•              Identify and critically discuss different ecological paradigms — including environmentalism, systems thinking, posthumanism, and multispecies perspectives — as they emerge within late modern and contemporary art.

•              Recognize how artists and exhibitions have challenged anthropocentric conceptions of nature, agency, and representation.

•              Analyze artworks in relation to broader social, political, scientific, and environmental transformations.

•              Appreciate the complexity and interdisciplinarity of contemporary artistic practices engaging with ecological questions.

•              Understand the complexity of ecological thought through the analysis of artistic practices and visual culture.

•              Identify and critically discuss different ecological paradigms — including environmentalism, systems thinking, posthumanism, and multispecies perspectives — as they emerge within late modern and contemporary art.

•              Recognize how artists and exhibitions have challenged anthropocentric conceptions of nature, agency, and representation.

•              Analyze artworks in relation to broader social, political, scientific, and environmental transformations.

•              Appreciate the complexity and interdisciplinarity of contemporary artistic practices engaging with ecological questions.

• Lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Company visits
• Individual works / Assignments
• Collaborative Works / Assignments

This course combines traditional frontal teaching (lectures) with seminar-based activities and off-campus visits to exhibitions when possible. Guest lecturers could be invited to join the class presenting their research and methods in talks, dialogues or film screenings. The course is thus shaped paying attention to the individual experience, evaluation and re-elaboration of the contents proposed in the classroom. Oral presentations (individual or in group) are assigned through the course for attending students. Students are expected to participate in class discussions.

Attending students will be assessed via:

1.   An oral presentation delivered during the course, designed to assess the ability of students to formulate critical arguments regarding the role of contemporary art within ecological discourse.

2.   A final written exam, based on class materials and on the readings specified by the course leader at the beginning of the course, designed to assess the ability of students to critically apply concepts and methodologies discussed during the course, and write competently about the nexus between contemporary art and ecological discourses.

Non attending students will be assessed with a final written exam. The exam aims to assess the familiarity of non attending students with the key conceptual issues addressed by the assigned readings; their ability to summarize and critically interpret the narratives and arguments advanced by those readings; and their capacity to work with textual and visual evidence.

Lecture notes and images

Course reader

The reading list for non attending students will be included in the syllabus, available at the beginning of the course