Sumários

Art Institutions and the Contemporary Art Ecosystem

24 Fevereiro 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

The lesson developed a critical understanding of contemporary art by exploring its definitions, contexts, and structures. Students engaged with key debates surrounding what constitutes contemporary art, examining how it differs from modern art in terms of frameworks, concepts, and historical positioning. The lesson investigated the contemporary art ecosystem, focusing on the roles played by art institutions, analysing how institutional influence and power shape artistic production, circulation, and reception. Through case studies, students discussed the viewer experience of the contemporary art museum.

Critical engagement with “Introduction” in Gateways to Art (2018)

19 Fevereiro 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

The lesson introduced key concepts for understanding and interpreting contemporary visual art. Students critically examined definitions of art, explored artworks as forms of visual communication, and considered how meaning emerges through subject matter, context, materials, and process. The session developed foundational skills in observation and formal analysis while addressing how art relates to cultural, social, and institutional frameworks. 

Introduction to slow looking: the practice of learning through observation

12 Fevereiro 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

Exploring a selection of artworks using slow-looking techniques by Shari Tishman and Claire Brown.

Presentation of course content and calendar, assessment, and course requirements.

10 Fevereiro 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

Students were provided with details regarding the course requirements, schedule, assessment criteria, and test dates, as outlined below:

 

1 The assessment criteria are as follows:  

·       Attendance and participation in class discussions that reflects critical thinking and an understanding of the assigned reading (25%)

·       Midterm Test (35%)

·       Final Test OR Research Project to be presented and discussed in class (40%)

 

(Note: Students who have more than 3 unexplained absences cannot choose between the Final Test or the Research Project. They will have to sit the Final Test. 

See the guidelines for the Research Project in the next section.)

 

2 Marking criteria for written Tests are as follows:

·       Structure and organisation of ideas

·       Conceptual presentation and development of the argument

·       Critical visual analysis

·       Theoretical support/ range of sources used and applied effectively

 

3 Important dates

26 March — Submission of the Research Project Proposal

7 April — Midterm Test

5 May — Final Written Test (for students not doing the Research Project)