THE UNFINISHED CONVERSATION: ART AND LITERATURE IN HISTORY

Course Description

From illuminated manuscripts to modernist manifestos, from poetry that paints to paintings that speak, our eyes moved between the worlds of image and word, between seeing and reading. This colloquium explores the dynamic relationship between art and literature, tracing how they have been working together, borrowing from one another, and even struggling for dominance throughout history.

We will discuss ekphrasis—literature’s attempt to capture visual art by words; We will also discuss the dream of "Gesamtkunstwerk" or the “total work of art,” when artists try to merge word and image into a single piece. We will read manifestos of art movements, analyze poetry inspired by paintings, and explore the history of book design, from medieval scriptoriums to the Arts and Crafts movement.

Designed for students interested in both disciplines, the colloquium has no prerequisites. Students will meet once a week, reflecting the readings and engaging discussions of the timeless dialogue between text and image. Students would earn 2 units from the colloquium, and for CCS art majors, the units would count for non-studio art units. Whether you are a writer, an artist, or simply curious about the intersection of these worlds, join us in discussing the ways that literature and visual art shape one another, and imagine the art in the future.

Instructor: Led by Sunny Sun under the supervision of Hank Pitcher.