Art history

Art on Site: Place, Identity, Meaning

Module code: V4136
Level 4
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar, Fieldwork
Assessment modes: Coursework

Art on Site is concerned with the close analysis of works of art out on site rather than in the seminar room, along with the physical, cultural and social contexts in which art is produced and consumed. It provides you with an introduction to the rich and diverse opportunities available to study art in situ that Brighton and the surrounding area provides.

The module is structured around a series of specific case studies, selected both to highlight some of Brighton’s main resources and to represent broader issues central to the study and understanding of Art History. Sites of Art will take in a wide selection of sites, ranging from those specifically designed to house and present works of art, such as museums and galleries, to buildings and spaces that serve alternative functions, such as churches and houses. The module will also pay close attention to art’s relationship to the built environment, looking at issues relating to architecture and planning.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of underlying concepts in understanding the relationship between art and its geographical location.
• Demonstrate basic understanding of how relations between artist and patron are mediated through site-specific considerations.
• Demonstrate basic understanding of how the meanings of works of art can change according to their physical location.
• Demonstrate basic practical understanding of field-work study in the discipline.