WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
In-Class Discussion: Defining Modernism in India; Web Literacy and Research

General Overview of Contemporary Indian Art:
1. Partha Mitter, Indian Art (on reserve; will be posted as e-reserve)
• Chapter 9: The British Raj
• Chapter 10: Modernism in India
• Chapter 11: Art after Independence
• Chapter 12: The Contemporary Scene

2. Yashodhara Dalmia, “From Realism to Supra-Realism, ” Indian Contemporary Art, Post Independence, 2000.
This gives an excellent telescopic overview of contemporary Indian art, from Ravi Varma to 21st century.

3. “The Indian Canvas: A Hybrid Legacy.” Memory, Metaphor, and Mutations, pp. 101-126.

WEEK 2: SEPTEMBER 5
Constructing the Theoretical Parameters: Modernism, Modernity, and the Arts
*What are the key issues and theorists that we will consider in the context of South Asia.

Readings:
1. Susan S. Friedman, “Definitional Excursions: The Meanings of Modernity/Modernity/Modernism in Modernism/Modernity 8/3 (2001), 493-513. (Blackboard)
2. Apinan Poshyananda, "Roaring Tigers, Desperate Dragons in Transition," in Contemporary Art in Asia: Traditions/Tensions, (New York: Asia Society, 1997), pp. 23-28
3. Ajay Sinha, “Contemporary Indian Art: A Question of Method,” Art Journal. Vol. 58. 1999/ “Between Modernism and Modernization: Locating Modernity in South Asian Art. Also in Art Journal.
4. Rasheed Araeen, Sean Cubitt (ed), The Third Text Reader on Art, Culture, and Theory, Introduction, “Contemporary Cultural Practice: Some Polemical Categories,”

Assignment/Presentation
• Web Research: Make a list of the top five internet sites on contemporary South Asian art.

WEEK 3: SEPTEMBER 12
Art of Pre-Independence: Realism, National Identity, and Modernism

Readings:
1. “Representational Delimmas of a 19th century Painter: Raja Ravi Varma”
146-178. When Was Modernism: Essays on Contemporary Cultural Practice in India. Geeta Kapur. 2000.

2. Tapati Guha Thakurta “Visualizing the Nation: The Iconography of a “National’ Art in Modern India, Journal of Arts and Ideas, no. 27-28. 1995. Pp. 7-40.

3. Ella Dutta, “Abanindranath Tagore: A new Context” Other Realities: Contemporary Indian Art,

(Reference Only)
Chapter 1: “Art in pre-independence India,” Making of Modern Indian Art)

WEEK 4: SEPTEMBER 19
The Progressives: India after Independence (1947-70).

Discussion /Readings:
1. Geeta Kapur, "Dismantling the Norm," in Contemporary Art in Asia: Traditions/Tensions, (New York: Asia Society, 1997), pp. 60-69.
2. Chapter 2: A bid for Modernism Making of Modern Indian Art,
3. When was Modernism in Indian Art” 297-324 When Was Modernism: Essays on Contemporary Cultural Practice in India. Geeta Kapur. 2000.

WEEK 5: SEPTEMBER 26

*In-Class Discussion: Group Project
(Report will be discussed in next class. Post report on Blackboard.)

WEEK 6: OCTOBER 3
Modernism and The Politics of Art: A Case Study of MF Husain

Discussion /Readings:
1. Chapter 5: “A metaphor for modernity,” Making of Modern Indian Art
2. Augmented Nationalism:
The Nomadic Eye of Painter M.F. Husain http://www.asianart.com/articles/husain/
3. http://communalism.blogspot.com/2007/05/mf-hussain-hindu-right-and-courts-of.html
4. Current case of censorship/politics:
• http://www.petitiononline.com/ANHAD07/
• http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/05/27/stories/2007052750010100.htm
• http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/may/10art.htm

WEEK 7: OCTOBER 10
The Body and Gender

Discussion/Readings:

1. Gayatri Sinha, “Feminism and women artists in India.” Other Realities, pp. 59-73
2. “Home/Nation” pp. 139-173. Memory, Metaphor, Mutations: The Contemporary Art of India and Pakistan By Yashodhara Dalmia, Salima Hashmi 2007
3. “Body as Gesture: Women Artists at Work,” 3-60. When Was Modernism: Essays on Contemporary Cultural Practice in India. Geeta Kapur. 2000.

WEEK 8: OCTOBER 17
Post-Modern Visions: What is “Now?”

Discussion/Readings:

1. Susan S. Bean, “Now, then, beyond: Time in India’s contemporary Art, Other Realities: Contemporary Indian Art, pp. 47-57
2. Yashodhara Dalmia, “The Paradigm for post-modern art in India,” Other Realities, pp. 75-85.
3. “Out of Place: Appropriation of the Popular” Memory, Metaphor, Mutations: The Contemporary Art of India and Pakistan By Yashodhara Dalmia, Salima Hashmi 2007
4. “The Fertile Crossroad Art in Baroda,” Indian Contemporary Art, Post Independence, pp. 45-58.
5. “Dismantled Norms: Apropo an Indian/Asian Avantgard” When Was Modernism: Essays on Contemporary Cultural Practice in India. Geeta Kapur. 2000.

WEEK 9: OCTOBER 24
SOUTH ASIAN ARTISTS AND THE DIASPORA

Discussion/Readings:

1. Shahzia Sikander: Faisal Devji article & Homi Bhabha interview in Shahzia Sikander (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000). Pp. 16-21.
2. Thomas McEvilley, "Eurocentrism and contemporary Indian art," in Yashodhara Dalmia, ed., Contemporary Indian Art: Other Realities, (Mumbai: Marg Publications, 2002), pp. 87-101.
3. Anish Kapoor. 1998 “Anish Kapoor: Making Emptiness” by Homi Bhabha. Pp11-41.
4. Benita Parry, “Signs of Our Times: Discussion of Homi Bhabha’s Location of Culture” pp. 243-255.

Week 10: OCTOBER 31
Defining the Taste: Museum Culture, Consumerism, Collections, Auctions

Discussion/Readings:
1. Thomas McEvilley, “Exhibition Strategies in the PostColonial Era, 1. Traditions/Tensions: Contemporary Art in Asia. 1996. Exhibition catalogue, pp. 54-59
2. “On the Double Edge of Desire,” Edge of Desire. Exhibition catalogue. 2005 pp. 12-39

Oral Book Review: Edge of Desire

Week 11: NO CLASS (Islamic Symposium,Qatar)

Week 12: NOVEMBER 14
Contemporary Himalayas: Modernity/Identity in Nepali and Tibetan Contexts

Discussion/Readings:
1. Kabir Mansingh Heimsath, Untitled Identities: Contemporary Art in Lhasa, Tibet
2. Claire Harris: "Tibetan Image of the Tibet Autonomous Region,”
In the Image of Tibet

Week 13 NOV. 21 NO CLASS THANKSGIVING

Week 14: NOVEMBER 28
Wrap-up Discussion: Modern and Modernity in Contemporary South Asia

Readings:
John Clark, “Asian Modernisms,” Other Realities, pp. 103-125.

EXAM: SLIDE IDENTIFICATION

Week 15: DECEMBER 5

- Group Presentation: 20 minutes
- Individual Presentation: 15-20 minutes each

Finals Week:
Individual Presentation

TURN IN : Course Reflection Paper: 2-3 pages typed
Individual Research Paper: 7-8 pages
(Last Day of Exam Week)