Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course questions the relationship between art and anthropology. Furthermore, it gives the student a chance to experiment what artistic practices can contribute to ethnography, as fieldwork and as a communication practice to various audiences.
Thus, the course presents itself as an introduction to the anthropology of art and the question of relations between artistic and anthropological approaches. Consequently, besides the discussion and experimenting of practical ethno-anthropological collaborations, the course considers the issue of engaged anthropological practices.
Firstly, the course aims to discuss fundamental notions (aesthetics, performance, poetics, politics, sensitive ...) starting from specific questions; How did anthropology define art? What are the affinities between the two? How does anthropology collaborate with artists? This part of the course is the first learning module of three, it consists of classical sitting course.
Secondly, the course emphasizes the interest of artistic practices for ethnography. Through the presentation of visual anthropology excerpts, practical exercises of immersion and performances, the aim will be to become familiar with the use of mixed analytic registers. This is the second module of the course. This year it will consist of an immersive WE which will take place from the 1st until the 3rd of April included. At this point, Mr. Eric Lecoguiec architecture students, will join the course for the second and thrid module.
Finally, for the last module, students and lecturers will contact anthropologists engaged in ethno-artistic collaborations. Therefore, political dimensions of artistic practices will receive specific attention; namely, the latter's capacity to create more or less public spaces.
This course has the particular ambition to offer students (striking albeit short) experiences of collaboration with artists.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- To enter and participate in an analytically fruitful dialogue between art and anthropology;
- To approach the anthropological theories of art;
- To discover, familiarize with and produce sensitive ethnographies;
- To become familiar with the use of mixed analytical registers;
- To think out and present a hybrid ethnographical account.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
- Good knowledge of and specific interest for ethnography;
- Interest in debates around the crisis of representation;
- Sincere curiosity for art (especially contemporary art).
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course comprises three distinct learning modules.
Module 1: Introduction to the relationships between anthropology and art, issues and consequent theoretical debate. Hybridizing the social sciences. "Sitting classes".
Module 2: Feel, perceive, interact, produce, communicate. "Immersion week-end"
Module 3: Meeting and assessing collectively two initiatives in Bressoux. "Strolling and evaluation sessions".
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Additional information:
To each module, a learning method. The first module is classical. It is divided between lectures and collective sessions of analysis of reference texts. A reader is provided. Could turn in distant learning if necessary.
The second module consists of a intense residence week-end. During a WE, the students work with invited artists (actor/producer, architect, photographer) on perception and performance practices. The module rests on active participation of students.
The third module relies on the participation of students and lecturers. It unfolds in two stages: firstly, as collective strolling in a Liège neighborhood and secondly on the meeting/discussion with researchers/artists/citizens engaged in the same neighborhood.
Recommended or required readings
A reader is offered and readings are suggested. Support slides to the ex-cathedra courses are available.
Assessment methods and criteria
The evaluation of students is based on the following elements:
- Participation in activities;
- Three short essays: two critical reading notes, an account of a conference, show, work of art;
- A hybrid account of a situation, show, work of art;
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Course is offered during the spring semester. The immersive WE will take place at the Mont-Rigi station, from the 1st to the 3rd of April. Please book the dates! Costs are supported by the University.
Dates of sessions are available in the online faculty calendar.
Contacts
Rachel BRAHY - Rachel.Brahy@uliege.be
Guy MASSART -Guy.Massart@uliege.be