Course 2023-2024 a.y.
20804 - CONTEMPORARY ART MARKETS AND SYSTEMS I - FOUNDATIONS
Course taught in English
Go to class group/s: 31
Synchronous Blended: Lessons in synchronous mode in the classroom (for a maximum of one hour per credit in remote mode)
In the last ten years, the contemporary art world has been transformed from a small, relatively stable system into a complex, semi-industrial sector in which financial political, economic, urban and social interests move at a pace that was even unthinkable only two decades ago. The interaction of these dynamics produces rapid changes in a system whose roles have been historically defined around a “small world” of galleries, collectors, dealers, institutions, and which has been polarized around few dominant urban scenes (New York, Paris, London and in the last part of 20th century, Berlin). These changes imply a multiplicity of opportunities, the appearance of new landscapes for new professionals, and also a number of dead ends. The process involves entrepreneurial opportunities but also raises deep cultural challenges. The course Contemporary Art Markets and Systems, Global Economics will tackle the current market dynamics by looking at commercial actors and their challenges. Parallelly, the course will also offer a seminar-based session aimed at exposing the students to contemporary global debates on art critique and curatorial issues.
The course addresses the institutional perspective on the development of the art system (actors, gatekeepers, auction, prices, professions etc.) and the art market. This section integrates an historical background with the analysis of the main transformations of the field. The course carries on an overview of the composition the Art World, with a focus on key actors, professions and on artistic practices and research. This session will also address relevant topics influencing the debate on the Art System.
The course will be enriched by a program of Guest Speakers, allowing the students to dialogue
with relevant professionals of the art market field.
know the historical evolution of the modern / contemporary art system from the transition XIX / XX century to the present time.
understand the mail pattern and logic of value creation in the visual art system (dealer / critic - dealer / collectors - artists /collectors) and the premises of the formation of a global and local art system.
have a professional understanding of the basic art market and art system languages and logics.
- Face-to-face lectures
- Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
- Company visits
- Individual assignments
The course is designed in order to create opportunities for a “high pressure” knowledge
transfer from the instructors to the class, through a methodology that implies active participation,
involvement in specific research and assessments, dialogue with relevant actors of the system.
The students are also expected to develop their personal vision about their professional future
in the field.
This course is fit for highly motivated students willing to acquire a professional and competitive
edge in the area of Arts management.
| Continuous assessment | Partial exams | General exam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| x | |||
| x |
Attending students
The evaluation will consist of:
a) Individual assignment
The individual assignment will be developed on the themes and issues of the course and its
topic must be decided with the lecturers, through specific bibliographies.
The individual assignment will count for 50% of the final evaluation.
Deadline: the individual assignment must be sent via email to the Teaching Assistant within the
date of the exam.
Essay structure: MAX length 5 pages, Font size 12, Line Spacing 1, Margins 2 cm. Bibliography
and / or Appendix (images or other resources you feel relevant to include in the essay) must be
listed after the text and are excluded from the 5 pages count.
Students can choose which reference style to use but are required to be consistent with your
Choice
b) Final exam
The final exam will be a written, closed-book test: two questions out of three on
topics developed in class.
The exam will be based on the teacher’s slides and notes and on a reading list that will be
provided by the teacher in the detailed Course Handbook.
The exam will count for 50% of the final evaluation.
Final exams: 17/05/2021 and 10/06/2021.
The attending status is valid only for the first two sessions
Non-attending students will be evaluated through a written exam.
Exam Structure: Students will be asked to answer to 2 questions out of 3 in 120 minutes.
Attending students
- Teacher’s slide and notes
- Guest lectures notes
- Reading list
Reading list for attending students will be provided in the detailed Course Handbook.
Reading list for attending students will be provided in the detailed Course Handbook.