Ateneo - UPO

From the post-war period to the artistic movements of the early 2000s: key figures, artistic approaches, and exhibitions in Italy and abroad.

To prepare for the exam, students are required to study the textbook by S. Settis and T. Montanari, Arte. Una storia naturale e civile, Einaudi Scuola-Mondadori Education, Milan 2019, vol. 5, pp. 292–473.
Furthermore, the following essays:
- D. Viva, Gli antenati elettivi: Giacomo Balla astrattista tra Forma 1 e Origine (1948-1954), in "Memofonte", n. 13, 2014 [https://www.memofonte.it/studi-di-memofonte/numero-13-2014/#denis-viva-gli-antenati-elettivi-giacomo-balla-astrattista-tra-forma-1-e-origine-1948-1954]
- D. Lancioni, Tutti i nodi vengono al pettine: le reazioni in Italia alla Biennale di Venezia del 1964, in Pop art, 1956-1968, catalogo della mostra, a cura di W. Guadagnini, Silvana Editoriale, Cinisello Balsamo 2007, pp. 55-73.
- F. Belloni, Il tutto nell’uno. Giulio Paolini e Jorge Luis Borges, in “Prospettiva”, n. 186, aprile 2022 [ma primavera 2023], pp. 78-87.

The course examines the major international artistic developments of the post-war period. In particular, it aims to enable students to gain a clear understanding of the stylistic, expressive and poetic experiments developed by artists between 1945 and the early 2000s. A more advanced objective is to provide students with the tools to situate the works within a specific historical, geographical and cultural context.
The 6 ECTS credits to be earned are allocated as follows for attending students: 1.2 ECTS credits for classroom-based and interactive teaching, and 4.8 ECTS credits for self-study.

Knowledge of the main historical events since 1945.

The course comprises 30 hours of lectures, delivered using PowerPoint presentations and supplemented by reading materials, during which students are encouraged to participate. Students who are unable to attend in person will be able to substitute their attendance with study of the reading list and the PowerPoint slides shown in class.

Students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities (DSA) or special education needs (BES) can request specific services and tools via reference office consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects. Those who cannot attend are invited to contact the teacher at least one month before the exam, in order to establish personally the texts to study and possibly receive more didactic materials. In case of failure to register for exams electronically, will be eligible to take the test ONLY those who have, at least three days in advance, contacted the teacher personally or sent a message to his email address. No exceptions will be allowed.

Oral examination marked out of 30. The questions will be designed to assess knowledge of the artists and the main artistic movements of the second half of the 20th century (basic level). The ability to recognise and interpret a work of art by placing it in its correct historical and cultural context will be assessed (advanced level).
The mark bands are: 18–23 (basic level); 24–27 (intermediate level); 28–30 with distinction (advanced level). Distinction will be awarded on the basis of an assessment of the accuracy, depth and analytical quality of the answers.

The course will cover: Abstract Expressionism; the Italian art scene after the Second World War; European Informal art; New Dada and Nouveau Réalisme; Pop Art in America and Europe; the neo-avant-garde movements of the 1960s and 1970s; the return to painting in the 1980s; and new trends of the 1990s and early 2000s.

By the end of the course, students should be able to recognise works, artists and movements of the second half of the 20th century (knowledge: basic level); to analyse works of art from an iconographic and iconological perspective; and to situate them within a specific historical context (skills: advanced level). Students will also need to develop the ability to evaluate, present and discuss works of contemporary art in a manner appropriate to their specific characteristics (transversal skills: advanced level).