calendar
The unit is taught via lectures, seminars, studio and media lab, gallery visits and library research. Students are expected to spend approximately 9 hours a week on independent study, research and preparation for seminar presentation.
Weeks 1 – 6
Introduction to the unit;
why surrealism is relevant for the understanding of photographic art;
surrealist frameworks for representing the everyday in photography.
first project: the marvellous. the uncanny and the everyday
presentations of the projects
Weeks 6 -12
theoretical frameworks: surrealist approach to the body and psychoanalytic theories of gaze and femininity;
second project: self-representation and masquerading; performative strategies of the self
Gallery exhibition of the works
Week 1 (Monday 29 January)
We will begin by getting to know the aims of the unit. This will be an opportunity for students to ask questions about the structure of the unit, the timetable, the assignments, etc. The session will then focus on preparing to visit the Tate gallery, with an introduction to the work of artists on display that use surrealist strategies in working with the everyday and the body.
Week 2 (Monday 5 February)
Session in Tate Modern Level 3 West: Exhibition Poetry and Dream: Surrealism and its legacy. Compulsory attendance.
Choose an artwork from the surrealist period and another from a contemporary artist for a class presentation that explores similarities and differences, referring to the psychological motivations and the social context (10% of the presentation marks)
[Assigned home reading: Highmore, Surrealism the marvellous in the everyday]
Week 3 (Monday 12 February)
Students presentation surrealism and its legacy
Library research and work towards the project proposal
[Assigned home reading: Roberts, Surrealism photography and the everyday]
Week 4 (Monday 19 February)
Students presentation and guided discussion Surrealism, photography and the everyday
Development of project 1
Week 5 (Monday 26 February)
Presentation and guided discussion: This session will explore the work of photographers who develop practices around the theme of everyday/marvellous/uncanny
Personal Project development (Studio time)
Week 6 (Monday 5 March)
Students presentations of their own work
[Assigned home reading: Chadwick: Self as Masquerade/Self as absence]
+ Start collecting images from mass media that represent women (commercial advertising images/magazine photographs, athletics, fashion, crime, politics, etc)
Week 7 (Monday 12 March)
Students presentation and guided discussion: Chadwick: Self as Masquerade/Self as absence
Psychoanalytical feminist interpretations of surrealism
Brain-map for project 2
Week 8 (Monday 19 March)
Students’ presentation: illustrated talk on photographers’ approaches to the body and use of surrealist and psychoanalytical strategies.
Personal Project development (Studio time)
[Assigned home reading: j Salomon-Godeau: Just like a woman]
Week 9 (Monday 26 March)
Students presentation and guided discussion: Salomon-Godeau: Just like a woman
Psychoanalytical and Photographic feminist theories applied to an understanding of a photographer’s work
EASTER BREAK
Week 10 (Monday 23 April)
Personal Project development (Studio time)
Week 11 (Monday 30 April)
Personal Project development (Studio time)
Week 12 (Monday 7 May)
Exhibition and feedback
