Latin American Modernism in a Global World

September 25–26 & October 2–3, 2015, University of Zurich

To deal with modernity in the Americas involves questioning traditional concepts and procedures. To what extent concepts of traditional art history can be applied to understand the arts phenomena in the Americas? This course analyzes some central aspects of artistic modernity in Latin America, especially in Brazil, between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. We intend to provide a historical contextualization, based on the analysis of case studies related to the circulation of prints and art works, exhibitions, museums and others. We also intend to discuss some methodological perspectives on Latin American art. The course will be based on seminars and lectures. These are some of the lectures themes:

• The notion of Latin America and Latin American Art
• Building a place for Americas: travel writing, Universal Exhibitions and “iconographies” of Independence
• Modernism + nationalism: painting, architecture and the quest for origins
• Art in Latin America: blockbuster exhibitions, latino art and art market