Art and Visual Culture MA

Critical introduction to history and theory of visual culture. Philosophical and theoretical perspectives are used to explore vision as a social and cultural process, investigating the ways in which the meanings of the 'seen' are explored, constructed and contested in construction, display and discourse.

Exploration and critical examination of the key theoretical debates that have contributed to the field of art and visual culture studies. Topics include the politics of representation, the gaze, the reproduction of images, regimes of surveillance, and the discourse of the 'other'.

Development, execution, and writing-up of an independent research project on a topic chosen by the student. All students will attend regular research seminars. Individual supervision will provide topic-specific guidance.

Beginning with Marx’s famous account of the commodity in the first chapter of Capital, this module explores a range of theoretical accounts of capitalism and examines their significance to the analysis of different cultural forms, including film, literature, and the contemporary visual arts. In doing so, you will consider changing conceptions of ‘culture’ itself, and its varying relations to ideas of art, modernity, production, the mass, autonomy, spectacle, and the culture industry.

Specifically, this module aims to investigate the relationship between capitalism and the culture of modernity; to assess and investigate a number of different theoretical accounts of capitalism; to relate these different accounts to a range of cultural forms under capitalism, including art, literature, architecture, film, and television; to consider changing conceptions of ‘culture’ itself, and its varying relations to ideas of art, production, the mass, autonomy, spectacle, and the culture industry; and to explore the idea of a specific visual culture of capitalism, and its relationship to the commodity form.

This module addresses one of the most urgent and, at the same time, elusive contemporary issues: the relationship between culture and the rise of digital media. It explores the production, circulation and cultural impact of digital technologies and considers how their emergence influences society, contemporary culture, and the relationship between the two. The module introduces key themes and debates in digital culture and explores ways I which digital environments impact how we produce, engage with, and thus understand, their cultural formations.

Specifically, this module aims to interrogate the impact of digital technologies in relation to contemporary culture through discussions of representative digital phenomena and critical and theoretical debates in digital culture; to apply theory in practice by participating in digital culture; to develop advanced capacity to critically analyse digital cultures; to develop an interdisciplinary framework for analysing the complex interactions of digital technologies and diverse forms of cultural production today; and to examine the implications of the ubiquitous digital technologies for cultural institutions.

This module examines the practical and theoretical issues of using archives for the purposes of academic and professional research. With privileged access to the unique collections of the University of Westminster Archive, the module combines knowledge from the professional practice of archiving and from key archival theorists.

This module focuses on issues of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the UK and globally, expanding knowledge beyond museums and galleries. It looks at the processes of heritage making, the politics and uses of heritage across the world, and the concepts, theories, and the practices of heritage creation. The focus of the module is on heritage’s link to the cultural and creative industries, including tourism and instances of untold or overlooked narratives in the sector. It considers, for example, the role of UNESCO; living heritage including sounds and smells; sports; festivals and carnivals; parks; walking tours; dark heritage, and mega events (such as the Cultural Olympiad and the European Capital of Culture) in order to develop your critical and creative thinking skills as well as professional capabilities. It encourages engagement with case examples and sources whilst reflecting on personal experiences of heritage and cultural interests.

This module is a critical exploration of the structure of the culture and heritage sector, the different kinds of institutions represented within it (e.g., large galleries, heritage sites, small local authority museums), and their relationships with political bodies, funders, and the leisure and tourism industry. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the management and governance structures of cultural and heritage institutions, the professional roles within the sector, and how different institutions manage resources, fundraise and manage projects. The module also considers significant management-specific challenges such as how to oversee and build diverse workforces and the emotional labour involved. You'll further gain the active listening, teamwork, and digital and communication skills necessary for professional work in the sector.

This module looks in detail at the Museum of London. On each session a guest curator will present their individual approach to curating. You will discuss the many ways that museum exhibitions are constructed, how texts and displays are designed and why learning and education is a central part of the museum’s narrative. This module will explore different subject areas, such as archaeology, contemporary history or fashion and reveal the challenges to curators in interpreting and displaying material for exhibition.

Specifically, this module aims to examine contemporary museum and gallery displays and exhibitions in London, with case studies of the Museum of London; to interrogate the concept of narrative, and how it is used to ‘construct’ social and cultural history; and to examine how objects and images are used within curatorial display practices.

This module explores the issues and practices involved in the representation of world cultures. It focuses in particular on the visual representations of non-western cultures within a western context, and examines the ways in which these representations produce meanings about the ‘Other’.

Using a range of theoretical, historical, literary, visual and other cultural texts, this module explores the idea of urban culture as it has developed since the mid nineteenth century. Focusing, in particular, on the distinctive concept of the modern metropolis, the module considers a variety of different representations of the city and critically examines the divergent ways in which they understand the specificity of urban experience itself.

Specifically, this module aims to examine the formation and representation of modern urban culture through the analysis of specific theoretical, literary, visual and other cultural texts; to investigate developing conceptions of a distinctive metropolitan experience from the mid nineteenth century onwards; to introduce and assess different theoretical and critical accounts of urban culture; to consider the relationship between urban cultures and capitalism as a social form; to explore the relationships between the particular histories and cultures of specific cities and general conceptions of the urban as a social-spatial form; to consider the changing global forms and interrelations of ‘western’ and ‘non-western’ urban forms; and to examine the implications of interdisciplinary study in relation to the city.

This module aims to enable you to gain first-hand experience of working within a context relevant to their career objectives; to enhance the opportunities for translating theoretical and practical knowledge into professional skills and to encourage you to make beneficial connections within a professional context. We have established contacts with a range of galleries and organisations for work placements and support you in finding an appropriate host institution.

Recent work placements on the module have included the Museum of London, the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Camden Arts Centre, Arts Catalyst, Film London, Jessica Carlise Gallery, the British Film Institute, the Chinese Film Festival and the Wellcome Trust.  We also work with the University careers office to help you develop skills for entering the job market.

This module examines how leading art museums and galleries define their roles and priorities within the contemporary art world. The module examines how different approaches to collecting and exhibiting art reflects an institution’s priorities and ideologies. It explores how art museum and gallery exhibitions are researched and planned, how collections are displayed and how activities are marketed. The module addresses the art museums and galleries in the context of contemporary culture and considers the role other arts organisations working outside the gallery structure such as public art and site specific art organisations, agencies and interdisciplinary organisations that work across sectors.