ARTH 353 Technology and Contemporary Art

• Fridays, 11:45 am-14:15 pm
• Course delivery TBA
• Instructor: Dr. Charles Gagnon

French philosopher Gilbert Simondon believed that the technical offered much to philosophers for the production of concepts. Contrary to many thinkers who described the technological in negative, even inhuman terms, Simondon viewed it as an aspect of human reality. In recent years his thinking towards matter, machines, and techniques has influenced anthropologists, archaeologists, art historians, and artists.

Simondon’s work will help us make sense of conflicting attitudes towards tools, machines and technology as we ponder the impact large technological projects such as dam building, nuclear energy, and surveillance technology has had on culture and artists. We will also look at Ramon Amaro’s notion of the “black technical object” along with the artworks by American Artist (yes it is their name), Nina Canell, Suzanne Duquet, César Newashish, and Ulla Wiggen.