Introduction to Contemporary Art

The Idea & the Object

With Grace Adam & Joshua White

Day One. Morning. Lecture

From Abstraction to Action/The Swinging Sixties to the Electric Eighties. 1960-1980

An introduction to the key artists, concepts, movements and works that shaped western art after Modernism.

Afternoon. Visit to Tate Modern, home to international modern and contemporary art. We will explore the collections, and there will be opportunity to discuss the morning’s artists and ideas, and to see examples.

Day Two. Morning. A visit to the Serpentine Gallery, North and South, Kensington Gardens; home to pioneering contemporary art. We will visit painter Cecily Brown’s exhibition, Picture Making, explore this year’s Pavillion Serpentine by Mexico City-based studio LANZA atelier, and check out Zaha Hadid’s Magazine building.

Afternoon. Auction Houses and Commercial Galleries. Back in the West End, we will have the opportunity to experience an Auction preview at one of the big Fine Art brokers. Commercial galleries along Bond Street and Cork Street provide us with the latest works by internationally recognised artists working now, with the opportunity to hear some brief introductions by gallerists.

Day Three. Morning. Lecture

Identity, environment, movement/The personal and the Global.1980-now

An introduction to key players, ideas and pluralism that characterises the last few decades.   

Afternoon. A visit to Tate Britain, home to British contemporary art. We will explore significant sculpture, painting and installation, commissioned pieces including a mural and outdoor sculpture.

Locations: Garden Room, Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair,. 24 South Audley St, London W1K 2PA.

Price: £450. Includes lecture notes, handouts, tea, coffee.