Urban Interventions, Graffiti & Public Sculpture

Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Urban Interventions, Graffiti & Public Sculpture

  • Host University

    Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona

  • Location

    Barcelona, Spain

  • Area of Study

    Architecture, Studio Art, Urban Studies and Planning, Visual Arts

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

    Hours & Credits

  • Contact Hours

    45
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4
  • Overview

    COURSE OBJECTIVES

    Urban public spaces take a multitude of forms, and serve a wide variety of purposes. Due to privatisation, today’s lack of public spaces leaves less room for a truly public discourse.

    In the first part of the course, we will define what public space is, who has access to it, and how it is used. We will not only consider what the economic value of a public space is in our cities, but also view it from a social perspective. We will discuss how art can be used to renegotiate the use of public spheres as a platform for a multitude of voices that encourages democracy. We will also concentrate on the different processes in which the legal practice of Public Sculpture is commissioned for short and long term purposes in public spaces as well as private spaces that are for the public’s use.

    In the second part of the course we will learn about the less legal forms of Art practices and interventions that also contribute to the many layers that make up our cities: Graffiti, Post-graffiti, and Street Art. Graffiti is often associated with decay and communities out of control. In some cities it is legal, within limits, and valued as a social expression. Street art is often commissioned and sanctioned and has a firm place in many communities. It also can be an important form of “outsider” expression. We will look at examples of graffiti and street art that have had beneficial influences on communities and which have served as propellants of expression and dialogue. Where are they located? Can they be nurtured without undermining their essential outsider qualities?

    Through a series of seminars students will develop an understanding of Street Art from the sixties to current times with references to the United States and Europe. The course combines theoretical and practical sessions, using Barcelona as a case study. Field trips are organised to view and practice Graffiti and Street art. This course will change the way you experience and interact with your home city and other cities you may visit in the future.

     

    REQUIREMENTS

    • Fluent in English
    • Field trips and Artistic projects are required components of the course in which students are expected to pay a small fee for the materials supplied to them in class

     

    CONTENT

    Public Space

    • Defining Public Space
    • What makes for good Public Space?
    • How do citizens benefit from Public Spaces?
    • The Privatisation of Public Space: how private interests take over public space.
    • Students present on their Urban walk observations of a Barcelona neighbourhood.

     

    Public Sculpture

    • Legal forms of Public Art – Art as everyday experience
    • What is Public Sculpture?
    • Site-specificity
    • Public Art Controversies

     

    Graffiti, Post-graffiti & Street Art

    • Street art from the sixties to the eighties: USA & Europe
    • Street Art in the nineties • Understanding the difference between Graffiti and Street Art
    • Culture Jamming as critical public pedagogy
    • Artivism
    • Street Art from 2000- 2010: the case of Barcelona
    • Students develop their own Tag, Stencil, Wheatpaste or sticker

Course Disclaimer

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.

Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.

Availability of courses is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last minute class cancellations

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