Art (H1)

This course aims to broaden students' engagement with visual arts, cultivating a deeper understanding and appreciation of artworks within their social and cultural contexts. It develops visual literacy skills, including critical analysis and interpretation of visual information, and encourages personal responses to art appreciation.

Syllabus Content

The syllabus is structured around two main themes:

1. Visual Arts and Representations: This theme explores different approaches to representing the world visually.

• Realistic Representations: Examines how artists depict the world naturalistically, including super/photographic realism and surrealism. Artists studied include Rene Magritte, Ron Mueck, and Andreas Gursky.
• Abstract Representations: Focuses on geometric and expressionistic abstraction as expressive devices. Artists studied include Wassily Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock, and Constantin Brancusi.
• New Media Representations: Explores the use of ready-mades and other media, including time-based media like film and performance, and how these challenge traditional notions of art. Artists studied include Marcel Duchamp, Damien Hirst, Joseph Beuys, and Nam June Paik.

2. Visual Arts and Society: This theme examines art as a system for communicating social values, beliefs, and opinions.

• About People: Explores how artists portray identity and relationships, ranging from literal representations of features to depictions of character and emotional nuances. Artists studied include Lucian Freud, Ng Eng Teng, and Amanda Heng.
• About Society: Focuses on social commentary, with artists using their work to address socio-political, socio-economic, and socio-ecological issues. Artists studied include Dede Eri Supria, Tang Da Wu, and Yue Minjun.
• About Culture: Examines how artists express their thoughts and concerns about culture, either as celebration or critique. Artists studied include Andy Warhol, and Singaporean pioneer artists like Liu Kang, Chen Wen Hsi, and Georgette Chen, as well as modern artists like Tang Da Wu, Anthony Poon, Han Sai Por, and Chua Ek Kay.

Assessment

The course is assessed through a single paper:

• Paper 1: Study of Visual Arts (100%): A 3-hour exam consisting of structured questions with visual stimuli, structured comparison questions with pairs of visual stimuli, and essay questions. The exam assesses artistic perception and interpretation, cultural and aesthetic appreciation, and personal response. Students are expected to analyze and interpret artworks, demonstrate knowledge of artists and their techniques, draw connections between art and culture, and express personal opinions.